1:29am Saturday 15th September 2007
By Jo Winrow
Parents in Bradford are being warned to make sure they are using the correct car seats when travelling with children.
All children aged under 12 or under 135cm in height must travel in an appropriate car seat and be strapped in - by law.
To mark the first anniversary of the legislation Bradford Council road safety officers are set to hold a special assembly at Copthorne Primary school in Great Horton on Tuesday for pupils and parents from throughout the district. A model car will be used to highlight the dangers to children if they are not strapped in correctly.
Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, the Council's executive member for environment and culture, said: "Unfortunately many parents are still travelling with children not strapped in or not in child seats and this is very dangerous. In 2006, 107 children under the age of 15 were injured as car passengers in Bradford and 76 of these were under the age of 12.
"Using an appropriate seat can mean the difference between life and death and we want parents to get this important message."
Information about using car seats is being sent out to about 7,000 Year One pupils across the district. They will also receive a book called Teddy Takes a Tumble which tells the story of a teddybear who bangs his head when he is not strapped into a moving car.
Naila Zaffar, head teacher at Copthorne Primary, said: "We hope as many parents as possible will be able to come along to the assembly as it's vitally important that adults know the measures they should be taking when transporting children in their cars."
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