#BUCKLEUP. SUSSEX SAFER ROADS PARTNERSHIP’S LATEST CAMPAIGN TO PROMOTE ROAD SAFETY

Sussex Safer Roads Partnership are taking part in a national seat belt campaign to raise awareness of the importance of keeping yourself safe and secure on your journey.

In the past five years, the proportion of car occupants killed who were not wearing a seat belt has remained consistently above 20%. Belts are least likely to worn by people driving short distances on familiar roads, despite statistics that demonstrate collisions most likely to occur close to home.

Sergeant Stuart Hendey, Casualty Reduction Officer at Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, said: “We know that many people are still choosing to avoid wearing seat belts, and we continue to see the consequences of driving without a seat belt all too often at incidents across Sussex. Not wearing a seat belt can be a fatal decision even on short, familiar journeys.

“Seat belts are designed to work as an important part of life saving and injury prevention measures within vehicles. The risk of being killed or seriously injured is significantly increased if not wearing a seat belt. Simply put, wearing a seat belt significantly improves your safety on the roads. Make wearing a seatbelt part of your start up procedure when you get in to your vehicle.”

It is a legal requirement for drivers and passengers to wear a seat belt; it is also the responsibility of the driver to ensure that children are using the correct safety restraints for their age and size. If caught not wearing a seat belt, individuals could face a fine of £100. If taken to court, this could be increased up to £500.

Sussex Safer Roads Partnership will be taking part in the National Police Chiefs’ Council throughout June and July 2020, supported by Drive SMART Surrey and Surrey and Sussex Police.