Styles change, safety doesn’t – Seat belt campaign

Suffolk Police is joining forces across the country as part of a National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) campaign to highlight the life‑saving importance of wearing a seat belt.

A lot has changed over the last 40 years but seatbelt safety hasn’t. Seat belt use for drivers and front seat passengers became the law in 1983. Yet, in 2023, 25% of people who died in cars on roads in Great Britain were not wearing one.

The roads policing team will be increasing roadside checks across Suffolk to identify drivers and passengers who choose not to buckle up.

This forms part of an NPCC initiative, which will run from 1 April to 28 April, aimed at reducing the “fatal four” behaviours known to heighten the risk of serious and fatal collisions—including failure to wear a seat belt.

Data shows that not wearing a seat belt is more common amongst men and young people, particularly those travelling in commercial vehicles.

You can be fined up to £500 for not wearing a seat belt. It is the legal responsibility of drivers to ensure child passengers up to age 14 are properly restrained. You can read more about seatbelts and the law here.

Inspector Byron Hearsum, of the joint Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: “As officers, we see the devastating consequences of not wearing a seat belt on Suffolk’s roads on a regular basis. This includes both drivers who sustain life-changing injuries and families left behind to mourn a loved one who has died.

“It is a safety precaution which takes seconds to implement. In a crash, you’re twice as likely to die if you don’t wear a seat belt. By choosing not to wear one, you are not only putting yourself at risk but also everyone else you are travelling with.

“A seat belt will not prevent a collision but it greatly increases your chances of surviving it.”

Tim Passmore, Police and Commissioner for Suffolk, said: "I fully support this pro-active campaign to crack down on irresponsible drivers who still refuse to buckle up whilst driving. It amazes me that drivers should need to be reminded about something so obvious.

"I really cannot believe that anyone would set off in their vehicle without securing their seat belt first and ensuring their passengers are doing the same.

"Everyone knows you are more likely to die in a crash if you don't wear a seat belt, so I just can’t understand why anyone would flout this law.”