Wearing Seatbelts
Buckle Up
When you're in a car, do you always wear a seatbelt?
In a car crash, unbelted passengers are far more likely to experience serious injury and die than passengers wearing seatbelts.
Aside from protecting yourself from injury, it's actually compulsory to use seatbelts where they are available - it's the law. This includes cars, minibuses and taxi cabs. You're breaking the law if you don't wear a seatbelt.
For passengers under 14 it's the driver's responsibility to ensure that seatbelts are being worn or they can be prosecuted. In the case of young children, the correct type of child restraint must be used - adult belts should not be used on children under 135cms in height.
If you're over 14 years old, then it's your own responsibility to make sure you're wearing a belt.
A Danger to Others
Wearing a seatbelt is important, especially in the rear of a vehicle. Unbelted passengers in the rear of a car can not only injure themselves in a crash - they can also injure or kill other people in the car. The momentum of the crash will throw unbelted passengers forward until they hit something or someone else.
Crash Simulator
You'd never want to find out firsthand what happens if you're in a crash without wearing a seatbelt. But with the THINK! Crash Simulator, you can experiment on a virtual car crash.
What kind of injuries would a family of four wearing seatbelts crashing at 30mph experience? What would be the consequences of a group of three adults crashing at 40mph without wearing seatbelts? Try it and find out! (Visit the THINK! Seatbelts site - link at the bottom of the page).
Related External Links:
- THINK! Seatbelts
One click can save your life. Always wear a seatbelt.