http://news.scotsman.com/scotland/De...-in.5390311.jp
THE number of children killed in cars on Scotland's roads trebled last year to its highest level for 21 years, Scottish Government figures show.
The increase from four to 13 since 2007 comes despite stricter laws on child car seats – which surveys suggest are incorrectly fitted in up to two-thirds of cases.
Research by The Scotsman has established that the number of child deaths in cars is now at its highest level since 1987.
The figure took the shine off Scotland's overall road death toll, which was at a record low for the second year in a row. The provisional total was down by nine to 272 – the fewest since records began 60 years ago.
Road safety groups said efforts must be redoubled to cut child road deaths as they launched a campaign yesterday for correctly fitted child car seats.
Kathleen Braidwood, road safety officer for Scotland for the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents, said: "While the overall fall in road casualties must be welcomed, it is extremely disappointing to see an increase in the number of children killed.
"Such a rise in child deaths brings home to all of us the devastation that road accidents continue to cause to families across Scotland.
"We must take these figures as a prompt to intensify our efforts to save lives and reduce injuries.
"The increase in children being killed in cars particularly demonstrates the importance of ongoing efforts to raise awareness of the law regarding child car seats and, crucially, how to fit them correctly."
Car seat laws were tightened three years ago to include older children, but an AA survey yesterday said two-thirds are not fitted securely.
Separate research for Road Safety Scotland showed more than half of 7,000 child seats tested were incorrectly fitted or unsuitable for the child or car.
Neil Greig, policy and research director of the Institute of Advanced Motorists, said: "These figures, appearing at the start of child safety week, underline the responsibility of adults to look after Scotland's children.
"The risk is highest in cars, but the law is clear – every child must be in the right child seat."
Overall, total road casualties were also at a record low – 15,563, or 4 per cent lower than 2007 – but serious injuries were up by 6 per cent to 2,535.
The Scottish Government last week announced a target of cutting road deaths by 40 per cent and serious injuries by half over the next decade.
This is more ambitious than UK goals as Scottish ministers attempt to ultimately cut deaths to zero.
Transport minister Stewart Stevenson said: "It is absolutely intolerable that people are still dying on our roads each day, and the number of children being involved in road accidents remains a particular concern.
"The loss of a life, no matter what the age, is a tragedy for any family, but I can't begin to imagine the heartache felt by the loss of a child."
I wish more people were educated about car seat use, even here (not the forum, US) we have fairly strict standards but many don't follow it. I think the laws here should be changed...well just the rear facing one. The rest are ok.
still got pregnancy brain eh????? I don't think my brain will ever be "normal" again
erm no I've never, ever forgotten to strap my kids or their chair in the car
