Deadly Seat Belt Snubbers Put Lives at Risk in Hampshire and Test Valley
Strict Seat Belt Crackdown This Week
Officers from the Roads Policing Unit are backing the National Police Chiefs’ Council’s seat belt campaign hard this week. Their mission? To catch and educate anyone still risking their lives by ditching the belt.
Over 50 Dead in 5 Years Due to No Seat Belt
Shockingly, more than 50 people have died in Hampshire and Test Valley over the past five years because they chose not to buckle up. Wearing a seat belt has been law since 1983—and for good reason.
Risks Are Real and Immediate
PC Liz Johnson, Road Safety Officer for Thames Valley Police and Hampshire Constabulary, warns: “You’re twice as likely to die in a crash if you’re not wearing a seat belt. Without it, you’ll smash into the windscreen or seat in front of you with the force of 30 to 60 times your body weight.”
She added, “The vast majority buckle up but a reckless few still take the risk. Many crashes happen close to home at low speeds—but that’s no excuse. Always wear your seat belt, every single trip.”
Don’t Forget the Kids!
PC Johnson also urges drivers to follow child seat guidelines carefully: “Make sure child seats are fitted properly and suited to your child’s weight and height. It could save their life.”
