Car manufacturers need to ramp up their safety measures for children, according to LARSOA.
Spokesman Chris King says that car safety seats do not have to conform to tough enough safety standards to protect children adequately in the event of a crash and the responsibility should sit firmly with car manufacturers.
He said: “Car manufacturers design and build cars that can travel at speeds well in excess of 100mph and then sell them to the general public as family cars.
“But in most cases they make no provision for transporting babies and children. Family cars are apparently designed for families of adults.
“It is hardly fair that parents then have to make crucial decisions about choosing a suitable restraint for their child. Understanding what type of fitting system it should have, where to fit it and then being responsible for the correct adjustment every time they travel in the car is complicated.”
He added: “Is it right that manufacturers of nursery equipment should be making car seats instead of car manufacturers? I certainly wouldn’t expect a furniture manufacturer to be making my car seat!”
