MAGAZINE: confusion over car seats

That’s according to new research which saw 74% of parents with children under 4 say they put their child in a forward-facing car seat, with one of the most common reasons being able to see their child’s face.

That’s despite the fact that studies show rear-facing car seats are up to five times safer than forward-facing car seats.

Almost a third of parents say they switched because official guidance said it was okay to put their children in a forward-facing seat, with the most important factors in choosing a car seat being how long it will last and the cost.

However, more than a third feel there is not enough help and advice available when buying a car seat and more than 70% of parents say they would have been more likely to buy a rear-facing car seat had they known the safety benefits of them at the time of purchase.

Furthermore, less than half of the parents surveyed by Volvo say they felt they’d made an informed decision when choosing a car seat.

Car safety expert Professor Lotta Jakobsson discusses current safety guidelines and what you should be considering if you’re a parent.