In a crash someone not wearing a seat belt is more likely to die than someone using one.

In 2007, of the 1,432 car occupants killed, research indicates that some 34 per cent were not wearing a seat belt.

While few people admit to regularly travelling without a seat belt, research shows that 24 per cent of people admit they sometimes don't wear a seat belt when travelling in the back, and 10 per cent in the front.

There is also evidence that people are less likely to use seat belts on short or familiar journeys or at low speeds. This puts them at serious risk of injury in a crash.

You are twice as likely to die in a crash if you don't wear a seat belt.

Nearly 300 lives would almost certainly have been saved in 2007 if all car occupants had been wearing a belt. Roughly, that's one life a day.

Any child transported in a car, van and other goods vehicles must be in an appropriate child restraints until s/he is able to use an adult seat belt on its own. It is a driver’s responsibility to ensure that any child under the age of 14 is correctly restrained in a vehicle. This applies to both a drivers home and work life.

The correct restraint needs to be appropriate for the child’s measurements, including their weight and height and not just their age. There are a wide range of appropriate restraints that are available but it should be remembered that not all restraints fit all cars, it is therefore important that any safety seat is correctly fitted to an individual vehicle and no assumption should be made that any seat is generic in its fitting.

The Road Traffic Act identifies all legal requirements and exemptions to the law regarding the use of restraints on children travelling in a vehicle. It does not cover the variety of restraints currently available as this is covered separately through the European standards required for child car seats. All child restraints must reach a safety standard, this means they have passed a set of stringent testing procedures. The current standards for child car seats are ECE Regulation, R44.03 & R44.04 These details can be found on the base or back of the seat on an orange label. Retailers are not allowed to sell you a seat with an R44.03 standard, but if you do already own one you can continue to use it.

From September 2006, the law required all children in cars, vans and other goods vehicles to be carried in an appropriate child restraint from birth until they are 135cms (4’5”) tall or have reached the age of 12 years (whichever comes first) with very few exemptions. However, It is advisable that a child still uses a booster seat or cushion until they are 150cms (5’) tall. It is no longer the legal responsibility of the driver to ensure a passenger over the age of 14 is correctly restrained; however it is advisable to encourage all persons travelling to wear a seatbelt in order to reduce the likelihood of injury to the driver and other passengers.