UK parents unknowingly putting children at risk with early forward-facing switch

New campaign launched as study reveals UK is “lagging behind” in car seat safety

Campaigners are calling for urgent updates to UK car seat guidance after a new study found that the majority of parents turn their children forward-facing before the age of four – despite evidence from the world’s toughest crash tests proving rear-facing seats are up to five times safer.

The research, conducted by Swedish child car seat specialists, Axkid, among 1,000 UK and 1,000 Swedish parents, found that just 22% of UK children aged two to four-years-old remain in rear-facing car seats, putting them at increased risk of life-threatening injury in the event of a crash.

In contrast, 83% of Swedish parents surveyed said their children aged two to four-years-old remain in rear-facing car seats. 

Rear-facing seats offer the highest level of protection by effectively distributing crash forces and significantly reducing the risk of serious neck and head injuries in a collision. Only rear-facing car seats can pass the Swedish Plus Test – the world’s toughest car seat crash test.

Both the UK and Sweden follow the same United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) regulations, which permit forward-facing travel from 15 months. However, in Sweden, national recommendations go much further – strongly encouraging rear-facing travel until at least the age of four. 

This consistent and evidence-led guidance, supported by health authorities, retailers and car seat manufacturers, has created a culture where extended rear-facing use is the norm since the 1960s. 

Additionally, the study revealed that 15% of UK parents with children under two and 14% with children aged two to four admitted they do not always secure their child in a car seat. This means thousands of babies and toddlers are regularly travelling without proper protection – leaving them at serious risk in the event of a crash.

In Sweden, just 3% of parents with children under two and 2% with children aged two to four admitted they do not always ensure their child is secured in a car seat.

Jayne Caul, Managing Director of Axkid UK, said: “The UK is seriously lagging behind in child car seat safety. The Swedish Plus Test, one of the world’s most rigorous car seat safety evaluations, proves that rear-facing seats are up to five times safer than forward-facing models.

“Yet, most British parents don’t know this, because they aren’t receiving the guidance they need to make informed, life-saving choices.

“No child should ever be unrestrained in a moving vehicle, yet our findings show this is happening far too often. The risks are severe – without proper restraint, children are at great risk of death or serious injury in a collision.”

Confusion and lack of guidance 

The study also revealed concerning behaviours and a significant lack of awareness and understanding among UK parents about child car seat safety:

·         44% of parents surveyed said they did not know the minimum legal age of 15 months for forward-facing travel and 11% said it was younger than the legal age (Some older weight-based R44 car seats legally permit forward-facing travel from around nine-months-old)

·         55% of parents said they did not know how tall a child has to be legally in order to travel without a car seat or booster seat (from 135cm) and 23% said it was shorter than the legal height

·         83% of parents said there should be clearer recommendations on how children can travel safely in cars

Call for action

In response to the alarming results, Axkid has launched a campaign calling for urgent action to better protect children. This includes:

·         Policy changes – Update UK car seat safety guidance, strongly encouraging rear-facing travel until at least four-years-old, as successfully implemented in Sweden

·         Stronger public awareness and official guidance – Launch nationwide campaigns to ensure parents fully understand the life-saving benefits of rear-facing seats, as well as clear, evidence-based guidance to help families make safer choices

·         Professional certified car seat fitting services – Expand access to expert fitting services so parents can confidently select and install the safest seat for their child

Jayne Caul continued: “Sweden has successfully made rear-facing travel the norm until at least four-years-old – there’s no reason why the UK can’t do the same.

“No parent wants to put their child at risk, but many unknowingly do so due to a lack of clear, accessible information. 

“Parents have told us they want clearer recommendations on car seat safety, yet we are failing them by not providing the guidance and support they need to make the safest choices for their children.

“The UK must do far more to educate and empower parents. It’s time for change.”

If you're thinking of buying something recommended by us, please go via the links on our pages. When you do this we may earn a fee which supports our editorially independent, family business.