Car Seat Belts Law - Make Sure You Are Properly Protected In The Event of an Accident

Belt up: the essential guide to seatbelt law in the UK

Seatbelts are the simplest and yet the most effective means of preventing serious injury and death in car accidents. Since their invention in 1958, millions of lives have been saved.

Introduced by Volvo the three-point seat belt has been a fundamental requirement in every new car since 1967 in the UK and it has been law for all front seat passengers to wear one on every journey since 1982. This law now applies to minivans as well as to coaches, vans and other commercial vehicles where seat belts are available.

Since 1987, it has been law in the UK that all new cars are produced with rear seat belts; the law for all rear seat passengers aged 14 and over to wear seat belts was introduced in 1991.

Most seat belt infringements are now punishable by means of a £30 fine though if the case is brought to court a seat belt infringement can set you back as much as £500.

Since 1998 it has also been law that every MOT check involves seat belt checks, and that should any seat belt be found not to comply with safety measures the car will automatically fail the MOT.

There are cases where exemption is possible from the wearing of seat belts and these are medical grounds, where a GP has provided an in-date certificate proving the passengers exemption. These cases of exemption are few and far between and usually only last for a few months.

Pregnancy and Seat Belts

Pregnancy is not viewed as an exemption in law, as many people think, however there are in fact recommended procedures for wearing a seat belt safely in pregnancy to protect the mother and the child. The three point belt should be worn across the middle of the woman's chest, and the lap strap should be worn under the bump. This positioning of the standard three point seat belt gives the woman the most comfort as well as the maximum safety.

In the case of an MOT check for seat belts the following features will be checked for safety - remember it is particularly important to check for any defects on your seat belts after a previous road accident.

All seat belts should have BSI approval symbols or the 'E' (European standard) symbols.
Webbing and stitching of the belt should not show evidence of nicks, holes or fraying.
There should be no evidence of incomplete stitching either - a damaged seat belt can result in the wearer taking the equivalent weight of a three tonne elephant onto their body.
The buckle of the belt should not be damaged in any way
Release of the buckle when the button is depressed should be speedy and smooth.
The seat belt should lock as a result of braking at 5mph and retract fully when fastened in an unoccupied seat.

Should you be involved in a road accident, and you are confident you covered under UK seat belt law, you can apply for compensation from any of the personal injury solicitors available, or if you are unfortunate enough to be involved with an uninsured driver, through the government supported Motor Insurers Bureau.

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