Thousands of drivers across Britain have been caught flouting crucial road safety laws by failing to wear seatbelts while behind the wheel.
It comes after a staggering 42,200 seatbelt offences were recorded throughout the UK in 2023 alone, according to reports with drivers risking hefty penalties.
However, experts have now stated that many motorists appear shockingly unaware of how to correctly wear this life-saving restraint that could also stop them from being fined.
In response, the Government took notice of this troubling issue, with AI-powered cameras being trialled last year to catch offenders.
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In a recent incident highlighting this issue, a driver was stopped earlier this week by police in Eastfield for not wearing a seatbelt.
Upon further inspection, officers discovered the vehicle was uninsured, leading to its immediate seizure. Safety camera vans equipped with laser technology are now being deployed across the country to detect not only seatbelt violations but also speeding and mobile phone use.
These sophisticated cameras can identify drivers breaking multiple laws simultaneously.
Motorists caught without a seatbelt face an on-the-spot fine of £100, which can increase to £500 if the case proceeds to court.
Offenders may also be required to complete a mandatory online education course, costing between £54 and £95. These courses, such as Your Belt Your Life, typically last around 30 minutes and include a test that must be passed.
Drivers can receive three penalty points on their licence, particularly if passengers under 14 are not properly restrained.
The consequences escalate significantly when drivers are caught without insurance, as in the Eastfield case. Uninsured motorists face a fixed penalty of £300 and between six and eight penalty points on their licence.
There is also the risk of losing a driving licence entirely or receiving an IN10 endorsement, which remains on record for four years.
Future insurance premiums typically skyrocket for previously uninsured drivers.Additionally, vehicles may be wheel-clamped, impounded, or even destroyed if valid insurance isn’t provided within seven working days.
PC McNulty, who stopped the uninsured driver in Eastfield, offered a stark warning about the dangers of not wearing seatbelts.
He said: “Drivers who are involved in collisions without wearing their seatbelts often contribute to the statistics of those Killed or Seriously Injured on North Yorkshire’s roads.”
He emphasised that seatbelt misuse is linked to the ‘Fatal 5’, a force priority for North Yorkshire Police. “It takes seconds to put on a seatbelt and can save your life and reduce the chances of life-changing injuries,” McNulty added.
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Despite the importance of seatbelts, there are specific legal exemptions to the requirement. These include drivers who are reversing or supervising a learner who is reversing, and occupants of police, fire and rescue vehicles. Licensed taxi drivers plying for hire or carrying passengers are also exempt.
Meanwhile, drivers investigating faults in trade vehicles or making deliveries in goods vehicles travelling less than 50 metres between stops can be exempt from wearing seatbelts. Medical exemptions are available with a doctor’s certificate, which must be kept in the vehicle.
