It seems obvious, but if you are not wearing a seatbelt during a major or minor collision you are far more likely to suffer more serious injuries than someone who is wearing a seatbelt. Wearing a seatbelt cannot only save your life but those of other passengers and the driver – especially if you aresitting in the rear of the vehicle.

The law states that drivers and passengers aged 14 and over must wear a seatbelt if available. The driver is responsible for ensuring that all passengers are wearing a seatbelt or appropriate child restraint. The law regarding child restraints was changed in September 2006. For more information go to www.direct.gov.uk

There are some exemptions from wearing a seatbelt; these are usually on medical grounds. Your doctor will issue a ‘certificate of exemption from compulsory seatbelt wearing.’ This must be produced if the police ask you for it.

Whilst you are travelling in a vehicle, your body is travelling at the same speed as that vehicle. If you are involved in a collision, your vehicle can stop very suddenly. However, your body will continue to move at the travelling speed until it hits something which will stop it or slow it down. A seatbelt will soon do this but not wearing one could cause you to travel around the vehicle until you finally hit something able of stopping you – possibly the driver, another passenger or the windscreen.

REMEMBER…ALWAYS WEAR A SEATBELT!

For more information on seatbelts and child restraints please visit:

www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk

www.lawontheweb.co.uk

www.dft.gov.uk/think