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Poll highlights issues with child seats abroad

New AA poll reveals that Irish holiday makers find it difficult to secure a suitable child seat.

A new poll from AA Travel Insurance reveals that Irish families hiring a car while abroad on holiday are encountering problems with child safety seats. The poll revealed that 7.1 percent of respondents encountered problems such as poor quality seats or seats that were unclean and unusable due to previous use and lack of maintenance. Families also complained of seats that were not adjustable and the lack of availability of booster seats for older children.

The survey also shows that many families are not willing to take a risk and are bringing their own seats with them when they travel, despite the extra costs involved.

Director of Policy at AA Ireland, Conor Faughnan, commented on the findings: "For families with small children a proper child seat is an absolute must. But we have had cases where families in a foreign airport are left with no choice. They either have to put up with a poor quality seat that they would not tolerate at home or worse, they may have to do without one altogether."

The AA Ireland recommends that parents only use an approved restraint suitable for their child's weight and height, and to also use Isofix restraints where available.

The online survey of 7,000 Irish customers took place in April and May 2010.

Additional reading for driving abroad can be found at www.aaireland.ie/toptips/motoringeurope.asp.

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Published on July 20, 2010