Seatbelts

Seatbelts are provided in both the front and the rear of all new vehicles. The law states that all passengers must wear their seatbelts (except when exempt).

Drivers are not responsible in law for non-use of seatbelts by adult passengers but should obviously advise the passengers that it is in their own interests to comply with the law.

Responsibility for belt-wearing by passengers under 14 years of age in the UK does rest with the driver.

Exemptions from the seatbelt law can be found in The Highway Code. This includes ensuring that the correct type of seat and restraints are used for infants and small children.

Most current seatbelt laws have been in force since 2006 - laws on carrying children changed in 2017.

In a crash someone not wearing a seat belt is more likely to die than someone using one. In 2007, of the 1,432 car occupants killed, research indicates that some 34 per cent were not wearing a seat belt.

While few people admit to regularly travelling without a seat belt, research shows that 24 per cent of people admit they sometimes don't wear a seat belt when travelling in the back, and 10 per cent in the front. There is also evidence that people are less likely to use seat belts on short or familiar journeys or at low speeds. This puts them at serious risk of injury in a crash.

You are twice as likely to die in a crash if you don't wear a seat belt.

Nearly 300 lives would almost certainly have been saved in 2007 if all car occupants had been wearing a belt. Roughly, that's one life a day.

Resources

For information about carrying children see: http://www.childcarseats.org.uk/

and: https://www.gov.uk/child-car-seats-the-rules/using-a-child-car-seat-or-booster-seat

For seatbelt law see: https://www.gov.uk/seat-belts-law/overview

Humberside Police on seatbelts

 

Child Seat Rules

Next: Step 6 - Mirror adjustment.