Your safety while travelling is always essential, and one of the ways to protect yourself in a motor vehicle is through the use of a seatbelt. A seatbelt could protect you if you were to get in an accident and even potentially save your life. Seatbelts are mandatory according to South African law; they should be worn all the time when travelling in a vehicle.
Seatbelts are to be worn by drivers and all passengers when travelling in vehicles. It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure all passengers are buckled up before travelling and making sure the seatbelts are used correctly.
What is the South African law on seatbelts?1
The law in South Africa concerning a seatbelt is that they should be worn at all times while travelling in a motor vehicle. This law applies to both the driver and all passengers. If any of the occupants in the car are caught not wearing a seatbelt by a traffic officer, they will receive a fine.
It takes a couple of seconds to buckle up when getting into the car and in doing so, you don’t only abide by the South African law, but you can potentially save your own life if you were to be involved in a motor vehicle accident.
What could happen if you don’t wear a seatbelt?1
- If you were not to wear a seatbelt as either a driver or a passenger, you could be ejected from a motor vehicle if you were to be in an accident. It can result in you sustaining severe injuries or possibly death.
- If you don’t wear a seatbelt and you are involved in a car accident, your body will continue to move at the same speed that the car was travelling before it crashed into the other vehicle or object. You may be ejected from either the windscreen or other windows in the car. If you were to be the driver, you would most likely hit the dashboard or steering wheel.
- The passengers who sit in the rear of a motor vehicle, and who are not wearing seatbelts, are three times more likely to sustain serious injuries or even death, than passengers who do wear seatbelts.
What is necessary to do before you drive? 1
- Remember to always put on your seatbelt, even if you are just going down the road to the shops.
- Always make sure that passengers in your car have their seatbelts on. If there are children that are not able to fasten themselves in the car, attend to them first.
- Always wear your seatbelt correctly and ensure that your passengers do too. Make sure you fasten the lap and shoulder belt across your hips. Do not put the shoulder part of the seatbelt behind you or under your arm, this will not protect you. Ensure the seatbelt is not positioned across your face or neck.
- Make sure to always check that your seatbelts are in working order and are functioning properly.
How many motorists wear their seatbelts? 1
In South Africa, it is estimated that only 40% of motorists wear their seatbelts. That is 4 in every 10 people. It is highly concerning that so many South African motorists refuse to wear seatbelts.
One of the reasons could be that they choose comfort over safety or that they don’t comprehend the risks attached to not wearing their seatbelts. They could have also adopted the thinking that it will never happen to them.
What are the seatbelt statistics in South Africa? 1
- An estimated 40% of South Africans wear seatbelts. That is 4 in every 10 motorists.
- If every motorist wore a seatbelt, it could potentially reduce the risk of a road accident death by 72%.
- 71% of light motor vehicle drivers wear seatbelts, and only 25-51% of their passengers do.
- 20% of truck drivers wear seatbelts, and only 11% of their passengers do.
- 11% of taxi drivers wear seatbelts, and only 2% of their passengers do.
These statistics pose a bleak picture when it comes to how many motorists wear seatbelts. There could be so many more spared lives if people adhered to the law of wearing seatbelts.
The next time you travel, remember to wear your seatbelt and enforce your passengers to as well. This could potentially save your life and that of another.
It is essential for your safety to wear your seatbelt as intended. Perhaps you need to find affordable car insurance? Maybe consider getting affordable car insurance with PMD, which includes unique benefits such as fixed premiums* and a reduce to zero excess*. T’s and C’s apply.
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Source:
https://safelyhome.westerncape.gov.za/campaigns/1292