Fitting and wearing of safety belts in vehicles

• Child restraint law
• Lapbelts
• Safety belt damage and replacement
• Webbing clamp safety belt replacements
• Safety belts in motor homes
• More about safety belt features

Fitting and wearing of safety belts in vehicles

Safety belts save lives as they are designed to support you in the event of a crash or when the vehicle stops suddenly. The force on the safety belt can be as much as twenty times your weight – and that is how hard you would hit if you were not restrained.

Child restraints are also designed to protect the child or baby in the event of a crash. All children under the age of five must be properly restrained by an approved child restraint when travelling in cars or vans. An adult safety belt is not enough.

In addition, although it is not mandatory, we encourage you to use a booster seat for children over the age of five, to make sure the straps of an adult safety belt will support the child properly in the event of a crash.

You must have safety belts:

• All modern cars must be fitted with safety belts in the front and back seats.
• Safety belts must be worn in front and back seats if fitted.
• Children under five must be properly restrained in an approved child restraint.

You must wear safety belts:

• Remember that if you sit in a seat fitted with a safety belt, you must wear your safety belt.

Not wearing a safety belt

You can be fined if you are aged 15 or over and you drive or ride in a vehicle without wearing a safety belt.

If you are the driver, you can also be fined if any passengers under the age of 15 are riding in your vehicle without wearing a safety belt or child restraint.

Last updated: 14 December 2007