The DGT (Direccion General de Trafico) recently launched its latest campaign aimed at people not using their seatbelt and also checking child restraint systems.
It seems that there are still a serious minority not wearing their seatbelt and the figures for last year are not encouraging. In 2017, 229 users of cars and vans that did not use a seatbelt died, 39 more than the year previously. It is said that using your seatbelt will half the chances of dying in an accident.
In the case of children, they are five times more likely to suffer serious injury if they are travelling without the property safety restraints.
These safety devices are not only a legal requirement but have been scientifically proven to save lives. So why do people still take these risks?
The authorities objective is to educate people not using these devices of their effectiveness. Pere Navarro said, “the belt is still, today, the single most effective safety device in vehicles. The DGT aims, with this type of campaign, to raise awareness of the importance of its use, both in adults and children, in front or rear seats, on urban or interurban roads, on long or short journeys. The belt and the SRI, always. There is no option. ”
The number of deaths in 2017 from the non-use of seatbelts and appropriate child restraint systems rose from 190 to 229 which is a worrying trend.
If you need some statistics to convince you why you should be wearing a seatbelt then here they are:
– The use of seatbelts and SRIs is mandatory for all occupants of a vehicle, on any route (either short or long) and on any road (urban or interurban).
– It is a basic and fundamental element of road safety and its use has saved thousands of lives. According to various studies of the European Union, fastening the seat belt when traveling in a vehicle would save the lives of more than 7,000 people in the European Union each year.
– Protects both from getting thrown out of the passenger compartment, as well as from hitting the windscreen.
– Its use in the rear seats is essential. In a frontal impact, the probability of a rear seat occupant fatally striking another passenger in the front seats is multiplied by eight.
– The belt reaches maximum effectiveness in rollovers, where the risk of death is reduced by 77%.
– Beware of the airbag: its use is not effective if it is not complemented by the use of the safety belt: both are designed to work in a complementary way.
– The occupants move at the same speed as the vehicle. For example, in a braking the vehicle stops, but the travelers move: a collision at 50km / h is equivalent to falling from a second floor.
– A frontal collision at 80 km / h without wearing a safety belt, usually results in death or serious injury.
Don’t play with children
The safety of a child will depend on the driver, as well as the use of the appropriate safety restraint. It is your responsibility.
In addition, drive calmly, respecting the road traffic laws, without being aggressive, maintaining the correct safety distance between you and the vehicle in front and adjusting your speed the level of traffic. This is the best way to protect the little ones.
In all vehicles, up to nine seats, including the driver, minors of less than 135 centimetres (regardless of age) should use approved child restraint systems properly adjusted to their height and weight and they must be in the back seats.
If you are found not to be complying with this law the road traffic authorities can immobilise your vehicle.
AESVI (Spanish Alliance for Child Road Safety) among its ten fundamental rules, it lists the following aspects
- In a vehicle, always carry the child in a restraint system suitable to its size and weight, however short the journey. Never, under any circumstances, leave the child alone or without supervision.
- Always use approved chairs, and if possible, opt for the more current regulations, since the security requirements are greater.
Check the approval label, in which the size must be indicated and / or the weight for which the product has been approved.
Source: DGT.es
