RSA service in Kildare highlights prevalence of poorly fitted car seats
Parents, guardians, grandparents and carers across County Kildare are being urged to visit an RSA Check it Fits event
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) has called on parents and guardians in County Kildare to be wary of poorly fitted car seats.
It comes as the RSA highlighted new figures which show that 56 per cent of seats checked for compliance by its Check it Fits service in Kildare, during the first six months of 2026, were found to be non-compliant.
According to the RSA, its Check it Fits service checked 307 child car seats in Kildare across five checking events between January 1 last and June 30 last.
Of the non-compliant seats checked in Kildare, 18pc had a ‘Major Non-Compliant’ fit, which includes safety-critical issues such as the seat being excessively loose so as to make the fitting almost ineffective or poorly adjusted harnesses, or seats not suited to the child or vehicle.
The remaining 82pc had a ‘Minor Non-Compliant’ fit, which can take the form of, for example, the fitting being loose or a twisted seatbelt.
These issues were resolved on-site.
‘VITAL PROTECTION’
Dr Sara Hope Kift, a clinical specialist neonatal occupational therapist, said: “When a child's car seat is fitted correctly, it offers vital protection at a time when a child’s growing body is particularly vulnerable in a crash, but what we continue to see is that many seats are unintentionally being used in a way that reduces that protection that they can offer, whether that’s because the harness is too loose, the seat is not secured tightly enough, or the seat is no longer the right fit for the child.”
Dr Kift added: “For parents and guardians, these are often understandable mistakes, especially as children grow, routines get busy, and seats are moved between vehicles, but the consequences can be very serious; a child car seat is one of the most important safety items a family will ever use, and taking a few minutes to have it checked can make a real difference.”
The RSA is encouraging parents and guardians to use the summer travel season as a timely reminder to check whether their child’s car seat is:
- Suitable for the child’s age, height and weight
- Installed correctly in the vehicle
- Adjusted properly, including straps and harness position
- In good condition and compliant with relevant standards
‘MISUSE REMAINS FAR TOO COMMON’
Furthermore, Christine Hegarty, road safety and education manager with the RSA, said: “Summer is a busy travel period on our roads, with many families travelling more often and for longer journeys.
“We know from our Check it Fits service that child car seat misuse remains far too common, and in many cases parents and carers are simply unaware that there is an issue.”
Ms Hegarty also said: “That is why this service is so important; it provides practical, expert support that can help families make sure their child is travelling as safely as possible every time they get into the car.”
The RSA’s Check it Fits service is free and open to all makes and models of cars and child car seats.
Parents and guardians are encouraged to visit the RSA website and keep an eye out for upcoming Check it Fits events.
Anyone seeking further information is asked by the RSA to visit www.rsa.ie/checkitfits.