Why seat belts are important safety measures while driving

Seat belts are designed to give a high level of protection in the event of a crash. They are designed to adjust automatically to fit the user, to be convenient and easy to use.

New drivers are disproportionately involved in accidents, especially in the first months after passing a driving theory test. It has been proven that drivers who have taken hazard perception test training have much better hazard perception test skills.

Wearing the seat belts can reduce the injuries of that person as it stops that person to come out of his seat and hit other interiors of the car which is also called second impact.

Despite of risk of serious injuries, and facts that seat belts can be effective in saving the life of people sitting in the vehicle, many people still neglect the use of seat belts while driving.

The law :

• By law, 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 as required.
• Children up to 135cms tall must use the correct child restraint for their weight (not age) when travelling in the front or back seat of any car, van or goods vehicle. There are very few exceptions. Read more about child car seats. 'Child restraint' means any of baby seat, child seat, booster seat or booster cushion.
• A child can use an adult belt when they reach 135cm or their 12th birthday, whichever comes first.
• In buses and coaches with seat belts fitted, passengers aged 14 years and above must use them.

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Why you should wear seat belt?

• 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.

Tips for using the seat belt -

• Do not twist seat belt, wear it close to the body.
• The shoulder belt should lie across the chest across the chest and over the shoulder away from the neck.
• Do not leave any slack in the belt - the belt can only do its job properly in a crash if it starts off close to the user's body.
• Do not use 1 adult belt for 2 people.
• The driver MUST ensure that all children under 14 years of age in cars, vans and other goods vehicles wear seat belts or sit in an approved child restraint.
• Child seat belt - It has to be installed if you have small children and 1 thing to remember that baby seat belts should not be fitted in front seat of those cars which are equipped air bags.