Parents are gambling with their children's lives by ignoring new laws for carrying children in cars which came into force yesterday.

And police have vowed to get tough on drivers who fail to adhere to the changes in seat belt laws.

A snapshot survey by the Telegraph & Argus outside two Bradford primary schools showed some parents had a blatant disregard for them.

Our reporter and photographer saw: l Children not wearing seat belts leaning perilously out of the back windows of a moving car l Young children able to stand between the two front seats because they were not strapped in l Other young children being carried in front seats without booster cushions or seat belts Road traffic officers have warned that from next month they will be cracking down on drivers who do not restrain youngsters properly.

Council road safety chiefs are also running campaigns in schools to educate children and parents about the dangers.

The new seat belt legislation means children under 135 centimetres or below the age of 12 have to use an appropriate child restraint when travelling in cars.

Drivers who fail to do so could face a £30 on the spot penalty or a £500 fine if taken to court.

An average of 190 child car passengers are injured every year in the Bradford district.

Chief Inspector Gary Parker, head of roads policing for West Yorkshire Police, said said: "It is irresponsible to allow them to bounce around in the car and sadly we know what the consequences can be.

"People now have the responsibility when they carry children in cars to comply with the road traffic legislation.

"From October 1, police in Bradford, and elsewhere in West Yorkshire, will be paying particular attention to restraints in cars and anybody using cars without appropriate seat belts being worn.

"Officers will be sensible. They may advise, warn or caution people, or issue fixed penalty tickets, and in the worst cases, report them for summons."

Chief Insp Parker said incidents like those witnessed by the T&A would have been subject to enforcement before the new legislation.

He added: "Ignorance is no excuse. If a three-year-old child was sat in the front seat with an ordinary seat belt and there was a collision, it could go round the child's neck and have fatal consequences. Safety of children is at the heart of all this."

Road safety officer Huma Rehman said the use of child restraints, particularly in back seats, in Bradford was quite low.

"It is no worse than the rest of West Yorkshire, but there is a problem," she said.

"Some of it is down to ignorance and some of it is down to the attitude of it wont happen to us'."

She said all 6,500 Year 1 primary school pupils in the district were being sent educational packages they could take home.

The Council is also giving out story sacks' with the book Teddy Takes A Tumble, toy characters from it and a miniature car seat, making the hard-hitting story come alive.

They are also holding demonstrations in schools with soft toy characters, Mr and Mrs Dim and Baby Dim, who are sent down a ramp with and without seat belts to show what happens.

Mrs Rehman said: "Pupils are getting something and parents are also getting something to read at home.

"We have had a mixed reaction from parents to the legislation. Some are welcoming it but some are worried about the cost of child restraints. But if you can afford to run a car this is a small amount to pay for the safety of your child."

e-mail: steve.wright@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

CONFUSION REIGNS AS SEATBELT LAWS FLOUTED

During a one-hour observation of traffic at the Toller Lane roundabout in Bradford yesterday, the T&A saw two children, aged three or four, standing in the footwell between the seats in the back of cars.

A third young child was sitting unrestrained in its mother's lap. Later, while many parents made sure their smaller children were securely fastened into a car seat when collecting them from two Bradford primary schools, others appeared to be using regular seat belts without a booster seat or car seat.

And some of those flouted even the most basic car safety laws, allowing children clearly not strapped in to lean from open windows or between the front two seats.

One parent, who was walking with his children, said he supported in-car safety but he claimed the new laws were a money-spinning scheme on behalf of car seat makers.

Another appeared oblivious to the new laws, and asked for details of the new requirements.

After it was explained he asked: "Is it okay then if the child is on their mum's knee?"

THE LAW CHANGES

From yesterday, a restraint must be used for children up to 135 centimetres or 12-years-old. A correct child restraint must also be used at all times if the child is in the front seat. Rearward facing restraints must not be used in a front seat protected by an air bag.

Exceptions are: When the child is a passenger in a taxi.

When there are already two restraints occupied on the back seat of a car preventing a third being used.

A child is travelling a short distance for reason of unexpected necessity.

Seat belts are not available.