UK “lags behind” in car seat safety – campaigners call for urgent change
Just 22% of UK toddlers remain rear-facing in the car, compared to 83% in Sweden, a new study has revealed – sparking calls for urgent action to improve car seat safety guidance for British parents.
A new study has revealed a worrying gap in knowledge around child car seat safety – with the majority of UK toddlers switched to forward-facing seats far earlier than experts advise.
Now, campaigners are calling for urgent updates to official guidance, after uncovering that most British parents aren’t getting the information they need to make safe, confident choices.
Swedish child car seat manufacturer Axkid, which commissioned the research, found most UK parents are switching their children to forward-facing seats well before the age of four – a move experts say increases the risk of serious injury in a crash.
Rear-facing seats, which distribute crash forces more effectively, are widely considered the safest option for young children, especially in frontal collisions. Yet, the study found many UK parents either don't know or misunderstand the current laws and best practice.
The UK is seriously lagging behind in child car seat safety. Most British parents don’t know rear-facing seats are up to five times safer than forward-facing models – because they aren’t receiving the guidance they need to make informed, life-saving choices.
Safety confusion leaves children at risk
The study, which surveyed 1,006 UK parents with children aged 0–10 years, revealed:
- 15% of parents with children under two, and 14% of those with children aged two to four, admit their child is not always restrained in a car seat – leaving thousands of children at daily risk.
- 44% didn’t know the minimum legal age for forward-facing travel is 15 months.
- 55% of parents were unsure of the legal height (135cm) required for a child to travel without a car seat or booster.
In comparison, only 2–3% of Swedish parents reported not always using a car seat, and more than four in five keep their children rear-facing until at least four years old – something encouraged by consistent public health messaging in Sweden for decades.
“Parents want clearer advice – we need to act”
With 83% of UK parents calling for clearer recommendations on how children can travel safely in cars, campaigners say it’s time for the UK to catch up with countries like Sweden, where a safety-first approach has become the cultural norm.
Jayne Caul adds: “No parent wants to put their child at risk, but many unknowingly do so due to a lack of clear, accessible information. We’re failing families by not providing the guidance and support they need to make the safest choices.”
Axkid is now calling on the UK government and relevant bodies to:
- Strengthen national guidance to recommend rear-facing travel until at least four years old.
- Launch a public awareness campaign to educate parents about car seat safety and laws.
- Provide better access to certified car seat fitting services.
What can parents do now?
While the debate between rear- and forward-facing travel can feel overwhelming, Axkid stresses that the issue is not about shaming parents – it’s about ensuring they have the tools to make informed choices.
You can check the latest safety standards, including the stringent Swedish Plus Test (which only rear-facing seats can pass), via the Axkid website.
Whether you’re on your first car seat or upgrading as your little one grows, it's always worth seeking advice from certified fitters, trusted retailers, or safety experts before making the switch.
As Caul puts it: “It’s time for change. The UK must do far more to educate and empower parents. No family should be left in the dark when it comes to keeping their child safe on the road.”
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Ruairidh is the Digital Lead on MadeForMums. He works with a team of fantastically talented content creators and subject-matter experts on MadeForMums.