The child seat can make all the difference in an accident, but having it installed in the car does not necessarily mean that the child is protected. In Spain, only 46% of minors who use child restraint systems (CRS) do so correctly, according to data from the Baseline Project 2023 collected by the Directorate General of Traffic (DGT). A figure that leaves more than half of children exposed to errors that can significantly reduce the effectiveness of these devices.
The latest surveillance campaign by the DGT once again puts the spotlight on this problem. The agents detected 458 minors who were traveling without using a child restraint system or doing so incorrectly. In addition to the risk to the child, this offence means the loss of four points on the driving licence for the responsible adult.
The importance of using these systems correctly goes far beyond avoiding a penalty. The Spanish Alliance for Child Safety (Aesvi) recalls that CRS can reduce the risk of death of a child in the event of an accident by about 70% when used properly and reduce serious injuries by between 60% and 80%. However, the World Health Organization estimates that between 30% and 60% of these devices are used incorrectly.
THE MOST COMMON MISTAKES WITH CHILD SEATS
One of the main problems is in the installation itself. Before starting any journey, it is advisable to check that the anchors are correctly fixed, check the ISOFIX connections and make sure that the third point of support, either by leg or by top tether straps, is placed according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
When the seat is installed using the vehicle’s own seat belt, it is also essential to regularly check that it maintains the appropriate tension. The belt or harness straps must not be twisted and their route must follow exactly the indications established for each model.
Another common mistake appears when holding the child himself. The child must remain centered in the seat and both the headrest and the side protections have to be adapted to their size. These measures should be reviewed periodically, especially during the first few years, when growth may cause a configuration that was correct to cease to be so in a short time.
It is also important to adjust the harness sufficiently. A simple way to check this is to try pinching the tapes: if they can be caught between the fingers, they are not tight enough.
REAR-FACING, WHENEVER POSSIBLE
The orientation of the seat is another essential element to improve the safety of the little ones. Whenever the system used allows it, the recommendation is that the minor travels in a rear-facing position, a position that provides greater protection especially during the first years.
Travelling rear-facing is mandatory until 15 months, although Aesvi advises maintaining this position, whenever possible, until approximately four years.
Clothing can also disrupt the operation of the restraint system. Although it is an especially important issue during the cold months, the recommendation is to avoid sitting children in clothes that are too thick. Coats can create slack between the body and the belts or harnesses and encourage the child to move more than they should during an impact.
BEWARE OF INHERITED OR SECOND-HAND CHILD SEATS
Another point that experts warn about are child seats purchased on the second-hand market or inherited from family and friends. These devices may be several years old, lack the original instruction manual, or have suffered damage that is difficult to detect with the naked eye.
Aesvi also recalls that the Ministry of Consumer Affairs prohibited the sale of child restraint systems approved under the old R44 regulation. Precisely many of the models that are still circulating on the second-hand market belong to this homologation.
Checking the seat before each trip, adjusting it to the child’s growth and always following the manufacturer’s instructions are small actions that can be decisive. Because having a child restraint system is not enough: for it to truly protect, it must be correctly chosen, installed and adjusted.
