Drivers reminded that 'belting up' saves lives

31/01/2013

British motorists and their passengers have been reminded to "belt up" as campaigners mark three decades of wearing seatbelts behind the wheel.

Car makers have been installing seatbelts in vehicles since 1965, but it was not made compulsory for all drivers to buckle up until January 31, 1983.

More than 2,000 lives are saved each year as a result of seatbelts and, after 30 years of campaigning, they provide an essential component of road safety.

Motorists who are caught driving without a seatbelt face on-the-spot fines of £60 and potential prosecution, which could lead to driving bans and at the least, increased car insurance premiums.

Stephen Hammond, the Road Safety Minister, said the seatbelt campaign had saved thousands of lives and prevented "countless injuries" in the 30 years since its launch, adding: "The combination of effective enforcement and hard-hitting public awareness campaigns mean that, 30 years on, the vast majority of drivers and passengers buckle up when they get in their cars.

"But, unbelievably, there are still some people who do not use a seatbelt. My message to them is simple: a seatbelt could save your life and not wearing one is just not worth the risk."

Copyright © Press Association 2013.