You are up to seven times more likely to be killed in a car crash if you are not wearing a seatbelt. Although it has been compulsory to wear seatbelts in New South Wales since 1971, each year on average there are about 30 drivers and passengers killed and 220 injured who were not wearing available seatbelts. Many of these deaths and injuries could have been prevented if seatbelts had been used.

There is a concerning increase this year in the number of fatalities involving drivers or passengers not wearing a seatbelt. Between March and July, 17 people died while not wearing an available seatbelt, up from 9% of vehicle occupant fatalities during the same period last year to 22%.

Nearly 70% of those who died when they weren’t wearing a seatbelt crashed on a road in their local area. It is important to wear a seatbelt even for short trips. Men in particular are featuring prominently in the statistics – of the 17 driver and passenger fatalities not wearing an available seatbelt 13 were male.

These aren’t just figures, they are people. People who are missed by their families, their friends, their colleagues and their communities simply because they didn’t think it was important to put on a seatbelt.

In a crash, a front seat occupant who is not wearing a seatbelt will continue to travel forward at the speed the vehicle was travelling until something stops them. This could be the steering wheel, dashboard or windscreen. In some crashes, the person may burst through one of the windows and be partially or fully ejected from the vehicle, exposing them to other dangers. Even if the vehicle is fitted with an airbag, the force at which an unrestrained occupant strikes the airbag can cause serious injuries.

An unrestrained rear-seat passenger in a crash will continue to travel forward until their progress is blocked, usually by one of the front seats. In a severe crash, the force with which the seat is struck is usually sufficient to cause the seat mountings or seat structure to fail. The front seatbelt must then not only restrain the front-seat passenger, but also the failed seat and rear-seat passenger. Seatbelt failures have been reported under these circumstances, resulting in both front and rear passengers sustaining severe and sometimes fatal injuries. Even after striking the seat in front, the passenger’s momentum will usually force their upper body over the top of the seat. Apart from causing them serious injuries, their head can strike a dangerous blow to the front seat passenger. Front seat passengers have been killed or seriously injured in this way.

There are seatbelt penalties and demerit points for drivers who do not wear a seatbelt or who fail to ensure their passengers use seatbelts. Currently the fine for a driver or passenger not wearing a seatbelt is $349 and 3 demerit points. Passengers aged 16 years and older who do not use an available seatbelt will also be fined.

Double demerit points apply for non-use of seatbelts and restraints during holiday periods. The upcoming double demerit point periods are Thursday 24 December 2020 to Sunday 3 January 2021 and Friday 22 January to Tuesday 26 January. During a double demerit period the penalties for a driver and one passenger includes 12 demerit points which is sufficient for a driver to lose their licence.

More important than fines or demerit points, drivers who ensure they and their passengers wear a seatbelt increase the chances of survival and reduce the risk of injury in a crash. When you get behind the wheel remember you can make choices that have an impact on yourself and others.