GoSafe is on a mission to keep Welsh drivers out of harm’s way
The Gosafe Camera Partnership In Wales Is Dedicated To Reducing Road Casualties And Promoting Safer Driving Habits
THIS year marks 40 years since it became illegal to travel in the front of a car without wearing a seatbelt. Despite this, there are still people travelling on our roads without them.
So why are seatbelts so important, when should you wear one, who’s responsible for making passengers wear them, and are you ever allowed not to wear one?
WHY ARE SEATBELTS SO IMPORTANT?
Seatbelts dramatically reduce the risk of death and serious injury.
According to gov.uk, in 2020, 23% of people killed in cars were not wearing a seatbelt. Data shows that 28% of male fatalities were not wearing a seatbelt, which is almost double compared to
16% for women.
That is why legislation was introduced in 1983 to make it illegal in the UK to travel in the front of a car without wearing a seatbelt. In 1991, it was made compulsory for people to wear them in the rear seats if seatbelts were fitted.
WHEN SHOULD YOU WEAR A SEATBELT?
You must wear a seatbelt if there is one fitted in the seat you’re using. You’re also only allowed one person in each seat fitted with a seatbelt.
Children must wear a seatbelt if they’re 12 years old or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. Before this, they must be in the correct car seat for their height and weight. This seat must be securely fitted.
CAN YOU BE EXEMPT FROM WEARING A SEATBELT?
Yes. You don’t need to wear a seatbelt if you are:
• A driver who is reversing, or
supervising a learner driver who is reversing
• Driving a vehicle being used for
police, fire and rescue services
• A passenger in a trade vehicle and
you’re investigating a fault
• Driving a goods vehicle on
deliveries that is travelling no more than 50 metres between stops
• A licensed taxi driver who is
‘plying for hire’ or carrying passengers
• Have a ‘Certificate of Exemption
from Compulsory Seatbelt Wearing’ that has been issued by your doctor. This must be kept in your vehicle and your insurer must be informed of it
CAN YOU GET FINED FOR NOT WEARING A SEATBELT?
Yes. If you don’t wear a seatbelt when you’re supposed to, you can receive an on-the-spot fine of £100 or receive a maximum fine of £500 if prosecuted. You can also be fined up to £500 if a child under 14 isn’t in the correct car seat or wearing a seatbelt whilst you’re driving. The Welsh Fire and Rescue Services also work with GoSafe and the police to deliver roadside education as an alternative to an on-the-spot fine. This is delivered as part of the ‘Options’ operation.
WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR MAKING A PASSENGER WEAR A SEATBELT?
The responsibility changes depending on the age of the passenger.
Passengers under 14: It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure that children under the age of 14 are wearing their seatbelts or are securely fastened into a car seat.
Passengers aged 14 and over:
All passengers aged 14 and over have a responsibility to wear a seatbelt unless they have a medical exemption certificate.
For more information, visit the GoSafe website www.gosafe.org