Seatbelt evaders at physical and financial risk

by Gill Montia

Story link: Seatbelt evaders at physical and financial risk

UK motorists need to be reminded that some insurers will refuse to pay a claim if a driver is not wearing a seatbelt at the time of an accident.

A study by moneysupermarket.com, the price comparison website, indicates that an alarming 25% of Britons have driven without wearing a seatbelt.

Almost 40% of those admitting to the error claimed it was an oversight and they had simply forgotten to belt up.

However, 11% stated that seatbelts are too restrictive or not necessary because they do not believe they will be involved in an accident.

Peter Gerrard, head of insurance research at moneysupermarket.com, found the results of the survey “astonishing” and points out that: “As well as being a lifesaver, a seatbelt can be an extra precaution for your finances, helping ensure insurance claims are paid out and you don’t get a £500 fine.”

Seatbelts are the simplest and yet the most effective means of preventing serious injury and death in car accidents.

In the UK and it has been law for all front seat passengers to wear one on every journey since 1982.

Exemption from the wearing of seatbelts is possible on medical grounds, where a GP has provided a certificate but cases of this nature are few and far between and usually only last for a few months.