Seat belts in the back seat, is it the same law as seat belts in the front seats?

Car_54

Geodark wrote: »

If I am giving anyone a lift in the back I always ask them to put the seat belt on.

I TELL them to put it on. It's for my safety as much as theirs.

wiogs

MX5huggy wrote: »

My MIL does not put a belt on by default in the back. I find a little spirited driving soon changes her mind.

My MIL tends to do this as she finds them "fiddly".

My solution is not to drive until she has buckled up.

Annoys her a lot but always puts a smile on my face.

AdrianC

The law : https://www.gov.uk/seat-belts-law/overview

It's hardly a new concept. Rear belts have been legally required to be fitted to all new cars for nearly 30 years now (1987), and required to be worn, where fitted, for nearly 25 (1991).

Iceweasel

trinidadone wrote: »

hello all,

Modern cars now have fitted seat belts in the back seats.


Any thoughts????

When did you realise this?

It's akin to saying 'Modern aeroplanes have jet engines.'

I don't know anyone who doesn't use seat-belts - front or back.

Quiet_Spark

Iceweasel wrote: »

I don't know anyone who doesn't use seat-belts - front or back.

I passed my test in 1982 at the age of 17, so I had a few years of being able to be "young, dumb, full of bravado, etc" before being made to put one on.

Couldn't hack it to start with (although the penalty back then was nothing more than a warning), can't be in a car without one these days unless it's only moving a few feet (ie, pavement to garage).

Yes they can cause injuries, but they save a lot more lives than they kill. Anyone who can't see that needs their bumps felt IMO.

elsien

Quick question. Relative with Alzheimer's who keeps taking rear seatbelt off while I'm driving. Would it be me being prosecuted, as he lacks capacity? (And yes I'm looking at ways to sort it, not just leaving him to it.)

DUTR

elsien wrote: »

Quick question. Relative with Alzheimer's who keeps taking rear seatbelt off while I'm driving. Would it be me being prosecuted, as he lacks capacity? (And yes I'm looking at ways to sort it, not just leaving him to it.)

Doesn't your car produce an annoying bleep when a passenger does not have a seat belt in proper position?

Captaincodpiece

elsien wrote: »

Quick question. Relative with Alzheimer's who keeps taking rear seatbelt off while I'm driving. Would it be me being prosecuted, as he lacks capacity? (And yes I'm looking at ways to sort it, not just leaving him to it.)

It wouldn't be you if they are over 14, the law clearly states that's the cut off point for the drivers responsibility.

It would be down to someone else to determine their capacity at the time.

AdrianC

elsien wrote: »

Quick question. Relative with Alzheimer's who keeps taking rear seatbelt off while I'm driving. Would it be me being prosecuted, as he lacks capacity? (And yes I'm looking at ways to sort it, not just leaving him to it.)

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1988/52/section/14
Seems to be entirely his problem.

(3)A person who drives or rides in a motor vehicle in contravention of regulations under this section is guilty of an offence; but, notwithstanding any enactment or rule of law, no person other than the person actually committing the contravention is guilty of an offence by reason of the contravention.

The only exception is for <14yos.

(6)Regulations under this section requiring the wearing of seat belts by persons riding in motor vehicles shall not apply to children under the age of fourteen years.

(they're covered in a separate section of the regs)

As far as prevention goes, a quick google finds something like this...
http://www.provenproductsllc.com/
intended to prevent kids from releasing the belt. Looks quick, simple, and easy/obvious to get around for a competent adult in the event of a collision.

wiogs

DUTR wrote: »

Doesn't your car produce an annoying bleep when a passenger does not have a seat belt in proper position?

Lots don't, mine certainly doesn't