The Police and the Finnish Road Safety Council: controls reveal shortcomings in child safety on the road

The Police and the Finnish Road Safety Council inspected child safety seats in April and found room for improvement in terms of keeping children safe in cars. The Police issued 14 traffic penalty fees and six fines.

Making sure that children are safe when travelling on the road ought to be an obvious consideration. Sadly, it is not always the case. Although the vast majority of guardians transport their children safely in appropriate child safety seats, the findings also give cause for concern.

At the end of April, the Police and the Finnish Road Safety Council inspected safety equipment in 17 locations near day care centres. Most guardians were transporting their children safely and appropriately. However, the inspection also revealed some serious violations and various shortcomings in the condition of safety devices and how they were installed. 

“It is always surprising, even for experienced police officers, when we see children in a vehicle without the proper safety equipment. What could be more important than a child’s safety? That is why these checks are justified, and they will continue until everyone is in compliance," says Chief Superintendent Heikki Kallio of the National Police Board.

In a few cases, parents were also reminded to fasten their seat belts. 

“Children learn by example, and this also applies when travelling. Adults set an important example, because children notice even the smallest things—both good and bad. That is why, when you are out in your car, you should behave the way you want your child to behave in the future," emphasises Tarja Korhonen, Contact Manager at the Finnish Road Safety Council.  

Parents are responsible for their children's safety

The law requires children to be in a child safety seat when travelling by car until they are 135 cm tall. The Finnish Road Safety Council’s recommendations go beyond this.

The inspection revealed that too many children were travelling without safety equipment; some did not even have their seat belts fastened. 
“The reasons given for not using safety equipment or for installing it incorrectly included being in a hurry or making only a short trip. Accidents can happen suddenly, and braking sharply can put a child’s life at risk if they are not strapped into a child safety seat. The safety seat must also be securely installed in the car according to the instructions. Children have the right to travel safely, and their safety must be ensured every day, even on short trips," Korhonen emphasises.

“For the most flagrant violations, the Police can file a child welfare report in addition to imposing a penalty fee. We do this when an officer encounters a child who needs care and attention or whose circumstances may endanger their development, necessitating an investigation into the possible need for child welfare services,” explains Kallio. 

About half of children under the age of 4 were travelling in rear-facing car seats

The Finnish Road Safety Council recommends that children travel in a rear-facing car seat until they are at least 4 years old. The controls revealed some very young children who were in forward-facing seats.   

“Some parents turn their children's car seats around too early. It is safest for a child to travel in a rear-facing car seat in the back row. Children have heavy heads and sensitive necks, and a rear-facing car seat provides the best possible support in the event of a crash," Korhonen points out.   

In brief

The law requires children to be in an appropriate safety seat when travelling by car until they are 135 cm tall. A child under the age of 3 must never be transported in a passenger car, van or lorry without safety equipment.

The Finnish Road Safety Council recommends that children use appropriate safety equipment until they are 150 cm tall and remain in a rear-facing car seat for as long as possible, but at least until they are four years old.