MANY car drivers travel confidently in air-bag and crumple zone security - but they still ignore the safety of their most precious passengers.

Now The Journal is backing a campaign to promote child passenger safety after car travel dangers were highlighted by nursery boss Vince Reilly.

Mr Reilly and his wife, Carole run Best Friends nursery in Mort Lane, Tyldesley.

Vince was angered last week when he was driving through Astley and saw cars travelling with young children unrestrained and being thrown around the car.

"No-one would put a £1,000 vase in their car without taking some precautions for its safety but it seems the same rules don't apply to some drivers and their children."

But drivers who ferry youngsters to and from sessions at Best Friends know the importance of putting safety first.

He said:"Manufacturers are doing their best with crumple zones, safety cages, the very best seat belts and one or even two air-bags.

"I know if I hit a brick wall at 30 mph and my vehicle had an air bag I'd get out of the car and walk away.

"But a child would be thrown straight through the windscreen and splattered against the wall. There would be no hope. And if that child was killed through wilful neglect it would be involuntary manslaughter.

"It would be unbearable to have a child's death on your conscience."

Aware of stringent safety rules for young passengers in some countries he is urging carers to make sure children are secured in proper safety seats ROAD Safety officer Trevor Higson has applauded The Journal for highlighting this issue.

"An unrestrained child being injured at 30mph is the equivalent of dropping that child from the 4th floor of a building.

"At 60mph it's the same as dropping them from the 12th floor!"

Trevor said there was no need for any driver not to have a safety seat.

The Road Safety Department hire first stage carriers (suitable for birth to nine months) for £10 with an £8 deposit. There are other carriers available on request for older children.

"Give us a ring, come and have look at what we've got. If you do use a second hand seat, make sure you know the history of it - that its not been damaged - and that you have the full fitting instructions and all the parts.

"Last year 84 child car passengers were injured. One is one too many!"

For more details call Trevor on 01942-828449.

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