Summer seatbelt warning

17 August 2010

Don't be tempted to leave your seatbelt undone during long hot journeys – that's the message from Derby and Derbyshire Road Safety Partnership during the holiday season.

Partnership chairman Mike Ashworth said: “Wearing your seatbelt in the summer can be uncomfortable - but it’s a small price to pay for staying safe.

“Even at low speeds, crashing without a seatbelt can cause serious damage. The force of the impact will smash your internal organs against the inside of your body.”  

Mike added: “You’ll hit anything in your way with a force of 30 to 60 times your own body weight - if you're a backseat passenger this means you could kill the person in front of you.”

Holiday drivers should follow these top tips for a safe trip:

  • check traffic and weather conditions before you set off by logging on to www.highways.gov.uk/traffic (opens in a new window).

  • keep your distance from the car in front of you – your car will take longer to stop when it’s weighed down with luggage.

  • avoid alcohol and get plenty of sleep the night before your drive.

  • avoid eating a heavy meal before you set off – it could make you sleepy.

  • allow yourself enough time to take a 15 minute break every two hours.

  • take a break if you feel tired  - two cups of coffee and a 'cat nap' can help if you've only got a short distance left to travel: if not find somewhere safe to stay overnight.