Wearing a seat belt saves lives!
Since 1983, when it became a legal requirement, many people have been spared death or serious injury by wearing seat belts. Everyone knows they should wear a seat belt in the front seat, but many people still don't realise how dangerous it is not to wear a seat belt in the back. In a crash at 30mph, if you are unrestrained, you will hit the front seat, and anyone in it, with a force of between 30 and 60 times your own body weight. Such an impact could result in death or serious injury to both yourself and front seat occupants. Any award for damages following an accident may be reduced if you were not wearing a seat belt.
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Information on the law can be found at http://www.thinkseatbelts.com/ (opens in new brower) or on the Think! Road Safety website (opens in new browser).
The law is summarised in the table
Summary of the Law
| |
Front Seat |
Back Seat |
Who is Responsible |
| Driver |
Seat belt must be worn if fitted |
- |
Driver |
| Child up to three years of age |
Correct child restraint must be used |
The correct child restraint must be used. If one is not available in a licensed taxi/private hire vehicle, the child may travel unrestrained. |
Driver |
| Child from third birthday up to 135 cms in height (approx 4'5") or 12th birthday, whichever is reached first |
Correct child restraint must be used. |
Where seat belts are fitted, the correct child restraint must be used.
The child must use an adult belt in the back seat if the correct child restraint is not available either:
- In a licensed taxi/private hire vehicle.
- For a short distance in an unexpected necessity.
- If two occupied child restraints prevent fitting a third.
A child three years and over may travel unrestrained in the back seat of a vehicle if seat belts are not fitted in the rear. |
Driver |
| Child 12 or 13, or over 135 cms (approx 4'5") in height |
Seat belt must be used if fitted |
Seat belt must be used if fitted. |
Driver |
| Passengers aged 14 years and over |
Seat belt must be worn if fitted |
Seat belt must be worn if fitted. |
Passenger |
Front seats of all vehicles, including vans, coaches, buses and goods vehicles where seat belts are fitted. Rear seats of cars and small minibuses (with an unladen weight of 2,540 kgs or less) where seat belts are fitted.
Whilst the law does not require seat belts to be worn in the rear seats of larger minibuses or coaches they should be used if fitted.
The law does not prevent you from carrying more passengers than there are seat belts and restraints. If you have to choose who rides without a belt or restraint, remember that heavier passengers can cause greater injury to others in an accident than lighter passengers.
If no child restraint is available for children under three years, it is generally safer for them to wear an adult belt, in the back seat, rather than no restraint at all.
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Drivers and front seat passengers should sit as far back as is reasonably possible from the steering wheel or dashboard to reduce the possibility of serious head or chest injuries in an accident.
Lap-and-diagonal belts provide more protection and should be used before lap-only belts.
Never put the same seat belt around yourself and another passenger (adult or child).
Adjust the seat belt properly. Place the lap belt as low as possible over the hips - not over the abdomen. Ensure the shoulder belt lies on the chest and over the shoulder. Do not leave any slack in the belt.
Many cars are now fitted with height adjusters for the diagonal strap. The diagonal strap should be adjusted to lie centrally over the shoulder and away from the neck. Adjust the strap so that it lies in contact with your shoulder and slopes up and back to the anchorage point.
Do not interfere with the correct function of the seat belt by fitting any comfort devices that are not recommended by your vehicle manufacturer.
Do not attempt to improve seat belt comfort with padding or cushions. It is also not advisable to sit on any mats or cushions other than those originally fitted by the vehicle manufacturer.
Avoid thick clothing (such as coats and jackets) under the seat belt.
The centre rear seats of many cars are fitted with a lap-only seat belt that must be adjusted manually. It is important that you adjust such belts for a snug fit over your hips, without any slack.
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Like all drivers or passengers, pregnant women must wear a seat belt, unless their doctor certifies that they are medically exempt - there is no automatic exemption. Wearing one may not be comfortable, but it improves safety for mother and the unborn baby. The lap strap should go across the hips, fitting comfortably under the bump, while the diagonal strap should be placed between the breasts and around the bump.
A lap-and-diagonal seat belt is preferable to a lap-only belt; however, wearing a lap-only belt is better than wearing no belt at all.
In cars fitted with airbags, the front seat (whether the driver's or front passenger's) should be pushed back as far as practical.
Think! Road Safety leaflet: Buckle up for baby and you (opens in new browser).
Airbags are not substitutes for seat belts and are designed to work in conjunction with seat belts. In the front seats you should sit as far back as reasonably possible from the steering wheel or dashboard in order to reduce the possibility of injury from an inflating airbag in an accident. Follow the advice in your vehicle handbook, and talk to the manufacturers if you have any specific questions about the operation of airbags.
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Injuries to children can be significantly reduced if they use a suitable child restraint. Child restraints come in a wide variety - baby seats, child seats, booster seats and booster cushions - and they must carry the Safety Standards (opens in new browser). Before buying a child restraint you should try it in your car to make sure it can be fitted properly. A properly installed restraint should be firm, with no excessive forward or sideways movement, and the buckle of the seat belt should not rest on the frame.
Beware of old or second-hand baby and child restraints which may be damaged or worn out and which may not have the correct fitting instructions.
Rear-facing baby seats provide very high levels of protection and are generally safer than forward-facing seats but they should never be used where a front seat is protected by an airbag.
The appropriate restraint depends on the weight, size and age of your child. Below is a table giving the approximate ages and weights of children for which the different types of child restraint are appropriate. However, for specific information in relation to your child, you should refer to the packaging and manufacturers instructions for the suitability of the restraint for your child.
| Child Restraint Type |
Weight Range |
Age Range (Approx) |
| Group 0 and Group 0+: Baby Seats |
Up To 13 KgsTD> |
Birth to 9 -12 months |
| Group I: Child Car Seats |
9 Kgs To 18 Kgs |
9 Months to 4 Years |
| Group II: Booster Seats |
15 Kgs To 25 Kgs |
4 Years to 6 Years, or depending upon make and model, from 15Kg up to 36Kg |
| Group III: Booster Cushions |
22& Kgs To 36 Kgs |
6 Years and upwards |
Further in depth information on Types of Child Seats can be found at www.childcarseats.org.uk (opens in new browser).
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Baby Seat
Child Seat
Booster Seat
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There is a specific exemption from the seat belt wearing regulations on medical grounds. There are some other exemptions, for example when reversing.
If you think you should not wear a seat belt on medical grounds, please consult your doctor. He/she will decide and, if warranted will issue you with a formal "Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing". This must be produced if the police ask you for it.
If you are claiming certain benefits you may be entitled to assistance towards the cost of any medical examination for a medical exemption certificate.
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