Just as car passengers must be belted up for their own safety, all objects in the car should also be stowed properly ("Ensure kids belt up, no matter the distance" by Ms Catherine Toh Siew Gek; yesterday).

Objects placed in the driver's foot space can jam leg movements, resulting in the loss of car control.

Drinks not secured in holders can scald or distract the driver when they spill, and objects lying loose on the dashboard and sliding helter-skelter can divert from the clear vista needed for best driving.

Loose, heavy and bulky items left unsecured in the car cabin are the most deadly, having the potential to become lethal projectiles in the event of an accident, causing physical harm.

Inventive car manufacturers now make foldable back seats, and, especially in conjunction with the facility of a hatchback, items far heavier than an adult are being transported without proper lashings and security.

We stand as good a chance of being injured by improper carriage of goods as by the direct impact of any accident.

Yik Keng Yeong (Dr)