“Precious cargo onboard” is a phrase most often used by drivers when referring to family loved ones travelling in the vehicle; however, when it comes to driving children on Irish highways, many parents are not practicing safety first. By law, children under three may not travel in an automobile unless they are properly restrained. However, many adults don’t realize that a jaw-dropping 80 percent of child safety seats do not fit properly into cars and could prove dangerous if not adequately corrected, according to the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
Seating Safety First
In Ireland, the RSA requires that all children under 150 centimeters in height or 36 kilograms in weight must use a child restraint system (CRS) suitable for the make and model of your car. Since car interiors are designed differently depending upon the manufacturer, it is highly recommended to consult with a car seat specialist recommended by your model’s dealership to assure a chosen seat will fit securely. Beyond a proper CRS, it’s also recommended the vehicle get periodic maintenance checks with auto experts like those at ChicMoto.com who can assure everything from your car’s battery, tires and even extended warranty coverage are up to snuff.
The Age Of Car Seat Evolution
Rear-facing seats reduce injuries by up to 95 percent over front-facing models, and any CRS should always be secured in the back seat away from the potentially dangerous deployment of airbags or the dashboard. Once the toddler outgrows the baby seat at around age four, he can migrate into a booster seat for the next two to three years until the car’s built-in safety buckle will securely fit around his waist without the added girth of the extra seat. And since you can’t put a price on child safety in your car, avoid cutting costs by buying a used seat from a second-hand seller as there’s no way to gauge damage or design degradation that has been upgraded since that seat’s release.
Safety should always come first when driving young loved ones in your car. However, sometimes when you think you’re practicing proactive safety you may not know your child’s seat isn’t secure until something scary transpires. It’s important for car owners to research the proper seat model for your specific automobile and check with a fitting specialist to assure that your precious cargo is always safe and sound.