Backless booster risky for kids, says UK study

London, June 21 (ANI): Backless booster seats pose a threat to the lives of children, a UK study has revealed.

About half of the children aged 4-12 years have a risk of side-on car collisions, the study found.

The survey concluded that 17 percent children did not use car seats at all.

The poll was conducted to mark the launch of Child Safety Week.

Another 30 per cent used backless booster cushions that meet legal requirements but offer less protection than full-sized child car seats in side-on crashes.

"Every year in the UK, around 30 children under 12 years old are killed while travelling in cars, and a further 300 are seriously injured. Kids might pile the pressure on parents not to have to sit in a full-sized car seat when they get a bit older, but it could mean the difference between life and death," the Scotsman quoted Chief executive Peter Vicary Smith as saying.

"Nobody who has seen the footage of a side-impact collision on our website would choose to use a backless booster seat," he added.

"While they're better than using no car seat at all, they simply don't provide enough protection," Smith added. (ANI)