Dubai: A recent study has revealed that safety seats for young children and infants can greatly increase chances of survival in the event of a car accident.

According to a study by the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), car safety seats are 71 per cent effective in reducing deaths during road accidents for children aged one to four years.

Fadi Abu Hamdeh, the Middle East area director of Chicco, a company that manufactures baby strollers and car seats, said: "Many of these deaths can be prevented. Placing children in the back seat could reduce the risk of serious injury by 40 per cent. Moreover, using age- and size-appropriate car seats and booster seats reduces serious and fatal injuries by more than half."

Abuhamdeh warned that it is not a safe practice for family members to hold babies in their laps, either in the front or back seats.

"It actually endangers children," he said.

UAE laws currently do not insist on car safety seats.