Belt up, play it safe

THE EDITOR: Wearing seat belts saves lives and reduces the risk of serious injury or death in an accident. Before moving off, driver and passenger should adjust the seat belt, taking care that the buckle is properly placed. More front and rear seat passengers are killed or seriously injured each year. The impact of an accident can be very serious. At a speed of only 50 mph it is the same as falling from a third floor window. Wearing a seat belt saves lives, it reduces your chances of death or serious injury by more than half. It is up to the driver to make sure he and his passengers are always wearing a seat belt, even on short trips.

It is also the driver’s responsibility to make sure that children under 12 years of age do not ride in the vehicle unless they are wearing an officially approved restraining device, keeping them under control so that they are not standing on or between seats in the vehicle. There are many excellent child seats on the market, choose one suited to the size and body weight of your child. Pregnancy is no excuse for not wearing a seat belt. Ensure that straps cross the body above and below the bump, not over it. If it is too uncomfortable, choose not to drive until after the baby is born. If you have a caesarean section, you may be advised not to drive for up to a month on medical and safety grounds.

L B HUNTE
Diego Martin