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On a daily basis most of us will hear that unmistakable 'clunk-click' of a seatbelt and according to Government statistics, this piece of ingenuity has saved over 60,000 lives in the 25 years since seatbelt wearing laws came into force.
On a daily basis most of us will hear that unmistakable 'clunk-click' of a seatbelt and according to Government statistics, this piece of ingenuity has saved over 60,000 lives in the 25 years since seatbelt wearing laws came into force.
However, it seems that not everyone shares my enthusiasm or indeed appreciation for this ingenious piece of motoring equipment.
Whilst most drivers adhere to the 1983 law that states all drivers and front seat passengers must wear a seatbelt at all times, according to research by insurance company Liverpool Victoria, over two million drivers in the UK either forget or cannot be bothered to wear a seatbelt.
Among the worst offenders are rear seat passengers; the research shows that over 30% of people do not wear seatbelts when sitting in the back of a car. A somewhat frightening statistic when you take into account that a passenger in the rear of the car can kill a driver or front seat passenger should they not be wearing their seatbelt in the event of a crash.
Along with rear seat passengers, the research also highlights that company drivers, young men and goods vehicle drivers are also less likely to wear seatbelts.
There is simply no excuse for this lack of road safety awareness, particularly from business drivers. Some drivers state that their journey was too short to warrant wearing a seatbelt. It only takes a second for a crash to happen, so your journey was less than a second then? Other excuses include that the seatbelt is uncomfortable, frankly this is irrelevant, the cold hard fact is, they could save your or your passengers' lives.
Aside from the fact that a seatbelt could save a life, it is also illegal not to wear one. Those found breaking the law face fines of up to £500 and a potential court appearance.
Best advice is to always 'clunk-click' as soon as you get in the car, ensure your passengers do the same and don't take no for an answer.
Businesses need to ensure that they clearly communicate the importance of wearing a seatbelt to all employees. Whilst many fleet and HR managers may assume that wearing a seatbelt is common sense, this latest research indicates that this is clearly not the case, especially when it comes to company drivers.
Advice on this subject is a no-brainer, seatbelts are there for a reason, so for those motorists still trying to make excuses, stop! All the excuses in the world won't save you or your passengers.
It's not rocket science, just a little 'clunk-clink'.
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