Belt up

This month, we’re running a road safety campaign focusing on the need for all drivers to wear seat belts.

Seat belts are one of the simplest and most important features for protecting vehicle occupants, and fastening them is one of the most basic steps drivers and passengers can take to reduce their risk of death or injury.

In the UK, wearing a seat belt is a legal requirement if belts are fitted. Both the law and Royal Mail Group policy require all drivers and passengers to wear their seat belts at all times, when driving a Royal Mail vehicle.

This month’s campaign is aimed at reducing the number of injuries sustained by drivers who fail to wear their seatbelts. Seat belts keep people in their seats and so prevent or reduce injuries suffered in a crash. Even at low speeds they ensure that as little contact as possible is made between the occupant and vehicle interior and at higher speeds, they prevent you from being thrown from the vehicle.

According to road safety charity, Brake, using a three-point seat belt (with a strap across your lap and chest) reduces the chance of dying in a crash by 50%.