Wear Your Seatbelt

FACT: Although it is compulsory to wear seatbelts in New South Wales, tragically, fatal crashes from not wearing a seatbelt increased by over 50% in 2020.

Seatbelts are important in preventing deaths and serious injuries in a crash and should be worn by all people, travelling in all vehicles.

THE FIVE MAIN FUNCTIONS OF A SEATBELT ARE:

·         Cause the occupant to decelerate at the same rate as the vehicle in a crash

·         Spread the force of the impact over the stronger parts of the occupant’s body (pelvis and chest area)

·         Prevent the occupant colliding with the interior parts of the vehicle

·         Reduce the risk of being thrown from the vehicle

·         In modern cars, seatbelts are designed to work together with the airbags. In a crash, the seatbelt slows the speed of the occupant, so they impact safely with the airbag.

The person in the front of the vehicle who is not restrained by a seatbelt when a crash occurs, will continue to travel forward at the speed the vehicle was travelling until something stops them. This could be the steering wheel, dashboard or windscreen. In some crashes, the person may burst through one of the windows and be partially or fully ejected from the vehicle. Even if the vehicle is fitted with an airbag, the force at which an unrestrained occupant strikes the airbag can cause serious injuries.

An unrestrained rear-seat occupant continues to travel forward until his or her progress is impeded, usually by one of the front seats. In which case the front seatbelt must then not only restrain the front-seat occupant, but also the rear-seat occupant. Even after striking the seat in front, the passenger's momentum will usually force their upper body over the top of the seat. Apart from causing them serious injuries, their head can strike a dangerous blow to the front seat occupant. Front seat occupants have been killed or seriously injured in this way.

Coolamon Shire Council is asking you to always wear a seatbelt, ensure your passengers are wearing their seatbelt before you start your vehicle and if you have a child in the vehicle, ensure you have the appropriate child restraint fitted correctly.

For more information visit: https://roadsafety.transport.nsw.gov.au/campaigns

Follow: https://www.facebook.com/RoadSafetyInfo and #wearthedamnbelt