Police Seatbelt campaign – Belt up, it could save your life!
We are in the middle of APIL Injury Awareness and Suffolk and Norfolk police have been carrying out increased checks across the counties to enforce seatbelt laws and to educate drivers and passengers on the risks of not wearing a seatbelt. Belt up, it could save your life. | Suffolk Constabulary
The article highlights that not wearing a seatbelt (as well as being a criminal offence) is one of the main causes for death in road accidents. In a collision, you are twice as likely to die if you do not wear a seat belt.
Wearing seatbelts became compulsory for driver and front seat passengers in 1983 and for rear seat passengers in 1991. Despite this In 2021 it is reported that 30% of UK car occupant fatalities were not wearing a seat belt.. In the last six years, the proportion of car occupants killed who were not wearing a seat belt has remained consistently above 20%. Those aged 17-35 have the lowest seat belt wearing rates.
At Gotelee the personal injury team are regularly instructed by those injured or the families of those tragically killed in road traffic accidents. Tijana explains that “although the accident may not have been their fault, if the injured person was not wearing a seatbelt then it is likely that, not only will their injuries be more severe, but also any compensation they are entitled to will be reduced as a result of what is called contributory negligence. This can have a potentially significant impact on the compensation received”
The message has to be Belt up and make sure your passengers are too!
How can our personal injury lawyers help you?
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident that was not your fault then contact us on 01473 298131 or tijana.bencedic@gotelee.co.uk
