Police host Road Safety Awareness campaign in Bletchley

Thames Valley Police’s road safety officer PC Liz Johnson, conducted a seatbelt safety campaign on Thursday at ASDA in Bletchley, to raise awareness in the importance of wearing a seatbelt with a specific focus on child seats.

Officers and representatives of partner agencies including Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service and the In-Car Safety Centre were able to answer questions and offer advice.

They also checked whether car seats were fitted correctly and were appropriate for the child using it.

In Bletchley, 60 per cent of the 45 car seats checked were fitted correctly. Some children had outgrown the car seat that they were secured in although it was fitted correctly.

It is essential that the seat is checked against the weight of the child and that the top of the head does not rise above the back of the child seat.

Some vehicles did not have a child seat fitted at all for the child or were on booster cushions when the child should still be in a five point harness.

The law states that a child under the age of 12 years or up to 135 cm must be in an appropriate child restraint.

In car seat terms:

A baby is classed from birth up to 15 months measuring 40cm to 83cm.

A toddler is classed as being aged nine months to four years, measuring 61cm to 105cm and weighing up to 18kg.

A child is classed as being aged 3.5 years to 12 years measuring 100cm to 135cm and weighing 15kg to 36kg

Booster seats can no longer be purchased from retailers, but can still be used if you have one. High backed booster seats are now recommended instead.