(Wed 21 Mar 07)

majority of parents are still confused about the change in the law.

According to the AA's findings, over two thirds (71%) of parents still don't know the new height restrictions for using child restraints.  

Parents are blaming their confusion on a lack of information. Over half of those asked (52%) claim that they don't feel enough has been done to update them on changes and help them understand the new guidelines. Dads were found to be the least clued up, with two-thirds feeling that they hadn't received enough guidance to show them how to make sure their own children’s car seats were compliant.

Research also revealed that one in six parents confessed that hadn't yet checked if they needed to make any changes or new provisions – six months after the regulations came into practice.

Commenting, Chris Patience, Head of Technical Advice at the AA, said: "There still seems to be a lot of confusion amongst parents as to exactly what the new law is, what this means to them and their children and if they need to make any changes. 

"The new regulations have been introduced because, whilst most parents make sure that their children use some kind of restraint when travelling on the road, if they aren’t using the correct type of restraint there can be dangerous consequences.  It is essential that parents understand the new law and carry out the necessary checks and make changes if required."

Full details of the new child car seat regulations can be found on the AA website:   http://www.theaa.com/motoring_advice/child_safety/seatbelts.html.

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