With police forces across the UK participating in a Europe-wide seatbelt enforcement campaign, drivers are being urged to ensure their passengers ‘buckle up’ on every journey.
As part of the week-long campaign, organised by TISPOL, anyone found not wearing a seatbelt will be issued with a £100 penalty for non-compliance.
TISPOL points to research which shows seatbelts reduce the risk of death by 45% for drivers and front seat occupants.
During a similar operation across Europe in March 2018, more than 100,000 seatbelt offences were detected.
Paolo Cestra, TISPOL president, said: “We urge drivers willing to risk making journeys without a seatbelt to take responsibility for their own safety and for the safety of their passengers.
“After all, the use of seatbelts is the single most effective method of reducing fatalities and serious injuries in motor vehicle collisions.”
The enforcement campaign is being supported by GEM Motoring Assist, who describes seatbelts as the ‘number one lifesaver’ in the event of a collision.
Neil Worth, GEM road safety officer, said: “If you’re not wearing a seatbelt and your vehicle is involved in a crash, you will simply become a projectile. That means you are likely to be flung at high speed – most probably against the front, side or rear windows.
“If you’re wearing a seatbelt in the same situation, you would stay in your seat and hit nothing. You might have walked away unscathed.
“That’s why we urge all drivers to ensure that they – and their passengers – wear a seatbelt on every journey, and that any children travelling with you are using an appropriate child restraint.”
This is an important and neglected issue which PACTS are researching, with support from Direct Line Group.
David Davies, London
0
I’ve always held the view that those who don’t wear their belts when driving are accident- prone anyway, so penalty points for not doing so which may lead to a ban when added to their other penalty points, would mean one less ‘accident waiting to happen’ let loose on the roads – it’s about attitude.
Hugh Jones
+2
Did readers know that in England, Wales and Scotland only fines are issued for not wearing a seat belt, but in Northern Ireland there are also penalty points. The seat belt is an important part of a safe system so why aren’t penalty points issued to drivers who don’t comply?
Peter, liverpool
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