Belt up in the back!

25 March 2009

​​Connétable Mike Jackson, the Minister for Transport and Technical Services, has signed the Order making it compulsory for adults to wear a seat belt when travelling in the rear seats of cars, vans and minibuses. It’s already law that children under 14 must wear a restraint.

The Minister said, “From 3 April, everyone, adults and children, will have to belt up in the back of vehicles. This was one of the measures asked for by the States last year and will bring Jersey into line with the rest of Europe in promoting safety for those travelling in cars, vans and minibuses”.

Cars and dual purpose vehicles, such as vans with seats in the back, that have been registered since April 1987 must have rear seat belts fitted. Minibuses manufactured since October 2001 have seat belts fitted for all passengers and many minibuses built before then will also have seat belts.

The Minister added, “Most of these types of vehicles circulating in Jersey will have seat belts and hopefully, people travelling in these vehicles are already improving their safety by wearing a seat belt. From now on, we must wear a seat belt when travelling in these vehicles or we will be committing an offence subject to a fine of £50”.

Older vehicles may not have seat belts. People can still travel legally without wearing a seat belt in such vehicles. Similarly, certain categories of people are exempted from wearing a seat belt by the nature of their work or for medical reasons. Generally, however, you should wear a seat belt for your safety and the safety of others travelling in the vehicle.

The Road Safety Panel has organised a publicity campaign to inform everyone that the requirement to wear rear seat belts is now law. There will be posters, leaflets and banners as well as adverts. The campaign will be in full swing over the next few weeks to inform and encourage everyone to wear a seat belt.

Philip Blake, Road Safety Training Officer and Secretary of the Road Safety Panel said, “In Jersey, on average every three years, at least one person has been killed in the rear of a vehicle who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. Many others who didn’t wear a seat belt have been seriously injured. Making everyone wear a seat belt will reduce the risk of serious injury for those involved in crashes. The Road Safety Panel is delighted that this law has finally been introduced”.

Mr Blake added; “Detailed information on the requirements to wear a seat belt can be found online​ or if anyone doesn't have internet access they may contact me on 612222 and I will arrange for them to receive a leaflet or answer any questions they may have.”