Seat belts

The Department for Transport (DfT) estimates that 1 in 10 drivers and front seat passengers, and 4 in 10 rear seat adults do not wear seat belts. The forces involved in collisions are quite terrifying; in a crash at just 30 mph, drivers and passengers are thrown forward with a force of about 3 and half tons. Hitting the windscreen or any other part of the car can result in serious or fatal injuries.

Although they won't prevent accidents happening, seat-belts are the simplest way to reduce the chance of serious injury. Whilst belts are used much more in front seats, there are still a number of back seat passengers who do not wear them.

Unbelted rear seat passengers risk injury not only to themselves, but also to front seat passengers. The DfT estimates that 10 front seat passengers are killed each year after being struck from behind by unbelted rear passengers. Thousands more front and back seat passengers are injured in similar accidents.

The law states that if a seat belt is fitted it must be used, whether it is in the front or back of a car.

Further information

For more information, or copies of our seat-belt related publicity materials, please call us on (01902) 551155, alternatively e-mail us at road.safety@wolverhampton.gov.uk

For further advice about child car seat restraints, visit www.childcarseats.org.uk.

Or alternatively visit child car seat legislation for more information.