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Road Safety - Seat Belts

SEAT BELT CAMPAIGN

In recent weeks Gwent Police and South Wales Fire & Rescue Service, in conjunction with local authority Road Safety Officers, ran a seat belt/mobile phone campaign.

The Police stopped drivers who were seen, not to be wearing their seat belt, or, using a mobile phone whilst driving.  The drivers were then given the option of taking a fixed penalty notice (and the 3 points on their licence in the case of using a mobile phone) or attending at a local Fire Station for a short presentation on the possible outcome of their actions.

A total of 78 drivers were stopped during the operation: 76 for not wearing a seat belt, and 2 for using a mobile phone.  More than 75% of those stopped were male, and 60% were aged 25 or over. 

This type of campaign will be repeated in future, as it was very successful.

Delivery Drivers:

The seat belt law for van drivers and passengers changed on the 1st March 2005.  Delivery drivers used to have an exemption from wearing a seat belt when conducting `local' deliveries, although prior to this amendment there was no maximum distance specfied for `local' deliveries.

The seat belt exemption for delivery drivers now only applies when travelling 50m or less beween deliveries or collections.

Exemptions From Wearing A Seat Belt

You may be exempt from wearing a seat belt on medical grounds.  Your doctor will issue a "Certificate of Exemption from Compulsory Seat Belt Wearing" if they decide it is not suitable for you wear a seat belt on medical grounds.  This must be produced if the Police ask you for it.

There are no other applicable exemptions from the requirement to wear a seat belt where it is fitted.