Some drivers and passengers never wear seatbelts while travelling in cars. Why should you wear a seatbelt, and how could they help motorists in South Africa?
Why should all vehicle passengers buckle up?1
In the event of a car accident, a passenger, or the driver of the vehicle, who is not wearing a seatbelt will be propelled forward at the same speed that the car was travelling at the time of the accident. This means that should the vehicle be travelling at 60km/h at the time of the accident, the passenger will be moving at 60 km/h. They could either crash into some car structure, or worse still, be thrown out of the vehicle.
Brain damage is likely2
Failure to buckle up can lead to brain damage in the case of a head injury as a consequence of the passenger’s failure to wear a seatbelt. Apart from the expected trauma, the medical expenses are enormous should serious injuries be sustained.
Many children are unnecessarily injured3
South Africa has a high child death rate as a result of car accidents because they were not wearing seatbelts. The United Nations’ World Health Organisation (WHO) stated that in Gauteng, just over 1513 children had lost their lives in traffic accidents from 2008 to 2011.
How do seatbelts help?1
For drivers and especially the passengers sitting in the front seat, wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of fatal injury by 40 – 50%. For those in the back wearing seatbelts, the risk is reduced by 25-75%.
Minister of Transport amends the Act3
In 2014, the Minister of Transport amended the National Road Traffic Regulations of 2000. For the first time, the Regulations applied a child restraint rule to infants, whereas before, this only applied to children older than three years of age.
Trauma doctors appreciate the new regulations2
Professor van As, the President of Childsafe and head of trauma at the Red Cross War Memorial Children’s’ Hospital in Cape Town, applauded the new regulations. According to him, for the last 20 years there has been no law protecting infants under the age of 3 and making it compulsory for these children to also wear a seatbelt. If parents and guardians of these children can afford to put petrol in their car, then they can also afford a child safety seat that will keep their little ones safe.
What buses are covered by the new law?2
Minibus taxis have to comply, but the issue of buses is still being worked out. Luxury buses should also comply, seeing as how bus accidents with high fatalities occur on roads between cities.
Fines may not be enough2
Professor van As mentioned that heavy penalties are not considered deterrents because they are challenging to enforce. Perhaps the Government needs to embark on an educational programme to educate the public on the importance of wearing a seatbelt.
Is your car adequately covered?
You have read all about the trauma of not wearing a seatbelt when involved in a car accident. But what about the car itself – is it adequately insured and are the premiums affordable? Perhaps contact PMD for more information about affordable car insurance that includes benefits such as fixed premiums* and a reduce to zero excess*? T’s and C’s apply.
This article was prepared by Eric Sandmann in his personal capacity. The views and opinions expressed in this article are the author’s own. The views and opinions in the article should not be attributed to anyone but the author unless expressly stated. Nothing in this article should be relied upon as advice, this publication is presented for informational purposes only. No person should act or refrain from acting in reliance on any information found in this article, without first obtaining proper financial advice from the appropriate professional. The author makes no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, or completeness, of any information linked from, referred to, or contained in this article. The author reserves the right, to edit and change the content of this article.
Sources:
2https://albertonrecord.co.za/63803/south-africa-tightens-seat-belt-laws-to-protect-children/
