SHE SAYS . .

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 32315, 5 June 1970, Page 11

SHE SAYS . .

Television advertisements to do with motoring always interest me, but I think the makers of some of them must regard many of us as rather unobservant. Sometimes the speeding-up of the film is just too obvious, for instance. Then there is the case of the advertisement which shows a car being driven, presumably in a car rally, by an overall-clad man. In scenes taken from out-

side the car, he is wearing his seat belt. But when the camera purports to show him close up, working at the wheel, no belt is in evidence.

But I am glad to see that so many advertisements do show drivers wearing their seat belts—perhaps it will help “sell” people the idea that wearing a seat belt is sensible. In spite of all the publicity and encouragement, too few motorists do wear belts, particularly round the city. Yet, as a recently publicised accident survey showed, many of those who are injured in accidents are driving in the city, and within just a few miles of their own homes. It is just as important to fasten that seat belt when driving round to the corner shop for some groceries as it is when going for a 50-mile drive in the country. It was also interesting to read recent comments on children’s car seats, and I was glad to see an expert speak of the dangers of those seats which merely hook over the back of a car’s seat. When such a seat must be used, it should always be strapped down to the seat by passing a seat belt over it. If this cannot be done, it is wisest to look for a better type of child’s seat. When a car hits something, things are thrown upwards and forwards, which is almost guaranteed to dislodge a hook-over seat. And one finds it difficult to believe that people could be so foolish as to use such a seat on a “tip-up” style front seat in a two-door car. If the car does stop suddenly, the child'and its hookover seat are propelled forward as if from a catapult as the back of the car seat tips forward. The danger should be obvious: perhaps it shows that some parents just do not think.