Seatbelts Save Lives - See It For Yourself

A hard-hitting reconstruction of a car crash in Hereford City Centre is to be used to reinforce the message that “Seatbelts Save Lives”.

Shoppers in Hereford’s High Town will see the mangled wreckage of the two cars when Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership launches its “Seatbelts Save Lives” campaign with the mock collision.

Two cars will be involved in the reconstruction, which will involve three “casualties”, played by fully trained British Red Cross volunteers.

Ambulance, fire and police will attend the scene and a running commentary will be given detailing their actions including medical care given by paramedics and the use of cutting equipment by the fire service to free trapped casualties.

The event, on Friday, September 2, at 1pm, is being co-ordinated by members of the Road Safety Implementation group and involves Herefordshire Council’s Road Safety Unit, the emergency services and other partner agencies that actively promote road safety across Herefordshire.
 
The Road Safety trailer will also be on site and representatives from Herefordshire Community Safety and Drug’s Partnership, Road Safety Implementation Group will be handing out road safety information and advice between 12.30pm and 2pm.

Information will also be available about motorbike safety, particularly highlighting the need to wear protective clothing.

“It’s vital that people know the danger they put themselves and others in when they don’t belt up,” said Assistant Divisional Officer Bob Rooke, Chairman of the Road Safety Implementation Group.

“Through this demonstration we are trying to convey the positive message that seatbelts save lives.

“Too many adults and children still fail to wear seatbelts and the result can be lethal.” 

Research by the Royal Society for Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) indicates that more than 90 per cent of adult front seat passengers and drivers wear seat belts, but only 66 per cent of adults wear rear seat belts.

If wearing rates in the rear were as high as those in the front, 30 adult lives would be saved each year.

Since the law to wear seat belts in the front was introduced in 1983, front seat belts are estimated to have saved 50,000 lives.

They have also prevented 590,000 serious casualties and 1.5 million minor injuries.

Fifty thousand lives saved equates to seven lives saved every day for the last 20 years.

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As many as 15 front seat occupants are killed annually by the impact of an unbelted rear seat passenger.

Ann Mann, Herefordshire Council’s Road Safety Officer, added: “The statistics clearly show that seatbelts save lives and this is what we are trying to highlight through the demonstration.

“It is essential that all passengers both front and rear wear their seatbelts and that adults ensure that children are safely secured in their seats.”