Why are we focusing on people not wearing their seatbelt?

There is a huge body of research and statistical evidence that proves that wearing a seatbelt can reduce the number of those who are killed and seriously injured in collisions.

Unfortunately there are still a small number of people who forget to wear their seat belt in the front and a significant number who are not wearing their belt in the back of cars.

The police believe that an important factor in maintaining low rates of death and serious injury on our roads is by ensuring as many people as possible wear their seatbelts properly in the front and back of cars and children are properly secured in appropriate restraints.

Background

During 2011 383 people were reported for not wearing their seatbelt, in 2012 that went up to 505. Anyone not wearing a seat belt in a 40 mph crash will suffer serious injury, 80% will die.

In Jersey, it became law in 1985 for all those in front seats of cars to wear a seat belt. It then became law in 2009 for everyone in the rear of a vehicle to wear a seatbelt unless exempt.

In 1994, the then head of the Driver & Vehicle Standards Department, Brian Rondel, commented in his report to the then Defence Committee:

“There is no doubt that this has considerably reduced the number of severe injuries to front seat passengers.”

Wear it correctly

It is not only important to wear a seat belt when in a vehicle, but just as important to wear it correctly.

The belt must be adjusted so there is no undue slack or twists in the belt. The lap part of the belt must lie across the lap (not the stomach). The diagonal part should pass from the shoulder (not the neck) down to the breast bone and then the hip bone.

Pregnant women

Make sure there is no undue slack or twists in the belt. The lap part of the belt should lie across the lap and under the bump. The diagonal part of the belt should pass from the shoulder (not neck) between the breasts and around the baby bump to the hip.

Children

Children should always be in an appropriate child restraint, correctly fitted and adjusted when travelling in a car. If you need help with this, you can call the Road Safety Officer for advice and help.

Tel: +44 (0)1534 612222

New legislation is in progress to bring Jersey’s child seat regulations into line with European jurisdictions.

Even though it is not presently a legal requirement to keep a child under 12 who is less than 1.35m in height in a booster seat, we would strongly recommend you do so to ensure the maximum safety for your child.

Below is a table that outlines the present legal requirements for the wearing of seatbelts in Jersey.

Children under 3 yrs	Appropriate child restraint must be worn	Appropriate child restraint must be worn
Children 3yrs - 11 yrs and under 4ft 11ins in height	Appropriate child restraint must be worn or adult seatbelt if restraint unavailable	Appropriate child restraint must be worn or adult seatbelt if restraint unavailable
Children 12yrs, 13yrs or 4ft 11ins in height or more	Adult seatbelt must be worn	Adult seatbelt must be worn

 

For more detailed information about carrying children in the car you can visit the Child Accident Prevention (CAP) website.

Jersey Child Accident Prevention website