Seat Belts
Fact: You are four times more likely to survive a crash wearing a seatbelt than not wearing one.
Excuses, excuses
Young drivers and passengers are often under the impression that it is ‘not cool’ to wear a seatbelt, especially if other people in the car are not wearing theirs.
You might think it makes you look geeky? You might think it’s a bit embarrassing and makes you feel uncomfortable? Or you think you’re a safe driver… and you don’t need a seatbelt and you not wearing one doesn’t matter to any passengers who might be with you…
Whatever your excuse for not wearing a seatbelt the alternative is much worse…
- Seatbelt wearing in the front seat saves over 2,200 lives every year. Everyone knows they should wear a seatbelt in the front seat, but many people still don't realise how dangerous it is not to wear a seatbelt in the back.
- In a crash at 30mph, if you are unrestrained, you will hit the front seat, and anyone in it, with a force of between 30 and 60 times your own body weight (similar to the weight of a baby elephant!).
- This could result in death or serious injury to you and people sitting in the front seat.
- Any compensation for injury following an accident may be reduced if you were not wearing a seatbelt.
ALWAYS belt up. It could save your life!
What the law says
- Drivers and front seat passengers in cars must wear a seat belt, unless they have a medical exemption certificate.
- Adults travelling in the rear of a car must also use seatbelts, if they’re fitted. It’s the responsibility of the adult passenger (not the driver) to make sure that they are using the seatbelt.
- Children under the age of 14, travelling in the rear of a car that has appropriate restraints, must belt up.
The price you pay for not wearing a seatbelt
Along with any injuries you might sustain from the crash, which could include brain damage or losing a limb… be aware of the following;
- The knock on effect - Around 40 front seat passengers die each year as a result of being hit by a back seat passenger not wearing their seatbelt.
- The penalty for not wearing a rear seatbelt is a fixed fine of £30, or if the case goes to court, a maximum fine of £500.
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