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#Fatal5 – No 5. Seatbelt Laws |
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Hi Latchford West
There are 5 main contributing factors to Road Traffic Collisions. These are careless driving, drink and drug driving, not wearing a seatbelt, using a mobile phone, and speeding.
The fifth and final explanation explores seatbelt laws. You must wear a seat belt if one is fitted in the seat you’re using - there are only a few exceptions. (See below). You’re also only allowed one person in each seat fitted with a seat belt. You can be fined up to £500 if you do not wear a seat belt when you’re supposed to. Children You must make sure that any children in the vehicle you’re driving are: in the correct car seat for their height or weight until they reach 135 centimetres tall or their 12th birthday, whichever is first wearing a seat belt if they’re 12 or 13 years old, or younger and over 135cm tall
You can be fined up to £500 if a child under 14 is not in the correct car seat or wearing a seat belt while you’re driving. The exceptions are limited to:
a driver who is reversing, or supervising a learner driver who is reversing in 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 looking for customers either by being hailed in the street or by waiting at a taxi rank (known as ‘plying for hire’) a licensed taxi driver or a driver of a private hire vehicle who is carrying passengers Medical exemptions Your doctor may say you do not have to wear a seat belt for a medical reason. They’ll give you a ‘Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing’. You must: keep this in your vehicle show it to the police if you’re stopped You’ll also need to tell your car insurer.
Being disabled or pregnant does not exempt you from wearing a seatbelt, unless you have a medical exemption and have followed the requirements above.
Many myths surround UK seatbelt laws, particularly concerning exemptions and penalties. Unless you have a specific medical exemption certificate, you must wear a seatbelt if one is fitted in the vehicle. Myth: Pregnant women are exempt from wearing a seatbelt Fact: This is false. Pregnant women must wear a seatbelt unless a doctor has issued a specific certificate of exemption. To wear a seatbelt safely during pregnancy, the lap belt should be positioned low across the hips and under the bump, and the shoulder belt should go between the breasts and to the side of the bump. Myth: Taxi drivers don't need to wear a seatbelt Fact: This is partially true, but applies only to specific scenarios. Licensed taxi drivers are exempt from wearing a seatbelt when they are "plying for hire" (looking for passengers) or carrying a passenger. However, this exemption does not apply during all circumstances, such as when they are driving for personal use. Myth: You don't need a seatbelt for short or familiar journeys Fact: This is a dangerous myth. Many people are less likely to wear a seatbelt for short trips or routes they know well. However, the law applies to all journeys where a seatbelt is fitted, and a crash can happen at any time, even close to home. Not wearing a seatbelt can result in a fine of up to £500. Myth: The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is only £100 Fact: While an on-the-spot fine can be £100, the maximum fine if the case goes to court is £500. Some police forces may also offer a seatbelt awareness course as an alternative to the fine. Myth: It is safe to use a seatbelt without a proper car seat for a child Fact: This is false and potentially deadly. A standard adult seatbelt is not designed to protect a child effectively and can cause serious injury in a crash. By law, children must use an appropriate car seat until they are 12 years old or 135cm tall, whichever comes first. The driver is responsible for ensuring passengers under 14 are correctly restrained. Myth: Adults in the back seat don't need to wear a seatbelt Fact: Since 1991, it has been mandatory for adults to wear seatbelts in the back of a car if they are fitted. It is the passenger's responsibility to ensure they are wearing their seatbelt. Myth: You'll get penalty points for not wearing a seatbelt Fact: Currently, not wearing a seatbelt is a non-endorsable offence in England, Scotland, and Wales, meaning you will not receive penalty points. However, this is different in Northern Ireland, where you can get penalty points. There have also been discussions about introducing penalty points in the rest of the UK. Kind regards Stephen Blake 20406 Latchford West | ||
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