head-on crash allegedly caused when the male driver was distracted by the child.

David Furbert, the driver of a Suzuki Vitara four-wheel drive involved in the crash, said the grey Suzuki car veered into his lane and collided head-on.

Mr. Furbert said the driver appeared to be distracted by the baby, which was sitting in the front seat on the woman's lap.

He said the baby and both adults appeared to have escaped serious injury but were taken to King Edward VII Memorial Hospital.

The accident happened near the junction of South Road and Cobbs Hill Road, Warwick, shortly before 5.30 p.m.

Mr. Furbert called for legislation to be introduced to make it mandatory for children to be strapped in securely to the back seat of cars and bikes.

He told The Royal Gazette : "In the split second I saw, the father was distracted and lost control, but I'm so grateful the baby seems to be okay.

"I've seen so many little children in the front seat of cars and bikes lately and something needs to be done about it because it is dangerous for them.

"There needs to be a law that babies are secured properly because if babies are in front of bikes holding the handlebars, it is dangerous.'' Mr. Furbert, of South Road, Warwick, thanked a Police officer for taking control of the situation so quickly.

A Police spokesman said last night that it appeared the three were taken to hospital for observation.