People sometimes forget that seat belts save lives, even on the shortest trips and at the lowest speeds.
Seat belt wearing saves over 2,000 lives every year. Everyone knows they should wear a seat belt in the front seat, but many people still don't realise how dangerous it is not to wear a seat belt 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.
This could result in death or serious injury to you and the person sitting in front of you.
Any compensation for injury following an accident may be reduced if you were not wearing a seat belt.
The law says:
- You must wear a seat belt in cars and goods vehicles where one is fitted. There are very few exceptions to this.
- The driver is liable to prosecution if a child under 14 years does not wear a seat belt or child restraint. You must not carry an unrestrained child in the front seat of any vehicle.
- Children up to 135cms in height must use the appropriate child restraint when travelling in any car, van or goods vehicle - there are very few exceptions.
- A child may use an adult belt when they reach 135cm or the age of 12.
- In buses and coaches with seat belts fitted, passengers aged 14 years and above must use them. Passengers on vehicles used for public fare-paying passengers on 30mph roads are exempt.
Any one travelling in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt where one is fitted. This includes vans and other goods vehicles, buses, minibuses and coaches. |