THE EDITOR, Sir:I AM SURE the level of public awareness about the importance of seatbelts in road safety is much higher than it was twenty years ago.
However, there is one aspect of the issue which many motorists seem to overlook that of the need to adequately restrain small children in the motor vehicle.
You often see adults nicely buckled into their seats while their children are standing on the car seat or riding in the front of the vehicle unrestrained.
Many people also seem to ignore the fact that a small child should never be in the front of a vehicle that has an enabled passenger-side airbag. Deployment of an airbag can kill a child (or even an adult with a very small frame).
We need greater public education about how to keep children safe in a motor vehicle.
We encourage the police to be vigilant in enforcing the relevant laws.
We may need some special effort to ensure that quality car seats are affordable for lower-income families.
I am, etc.,
CELIA MCKOY
celiamckoy@excite.com
Portmore, St. Catherine
Via Go-Jamaica
