It seems hard to credit these days, with the amount of traffic on the roads and the high incidence of motor accidents, that people would still allow children and even babies to ride in cars without being properly secured.

But it is indeed the case, and a cross-agency approach from Bradford's health professionals and road safety experts aims to drive home the message, especially to new parents.

Prospective mums and dads and those who have just taken delivery of a new baby will be given advice on how to properly restrain infants in cars and shown how to fit appropriate car seats.

Too many people, it emerges, are getting so wrapped up in the joy of having a child that they neglect the basic question of how they are going to get their bundle of joy home from hospital.

While a new mother might feel that her baby is safe in her arms for a relatively short journey, it only takes a split second for an accident to occur and if a child is not suitably secured, tragedy can occur.

Although this initiative is aimed at new parents, it is also worth bearing in mind that children of any age need to be strapped in securely, either with a travel chair or booster seat until they are old enough to use a normal seat belt.

Seat belt laws have been put into place to reduce death on the roads. Complying with them is not just a question of avoiding trouble with the police, but one of keeping our most precious cargo safe and sound.