The law and seatbelt usage in cars and vans

Van drivers: seat belts compulsory

It is compulsory for all drivers and front-seat passengers to wear seatbelts.

And for back-seat passengers to wear seatbelts where available.

Other legislation also requires children under 12 and under 135cms in height to use a suitable restraint.

Until recently, drivers making local rounds of deliveries or collections were exempt from wearing a seatbelt.

In 2005, new legislation stated that drivers had to wear a seatbelt when making deliveries if travelling more than 50 metres between stops.

To be safe it is recommended that drivers wear a seatbelt at all times.

Research shows that if all van drivers wore a seatbelt at all times it would prevent 20 fatalities, 240 serious casualties and 1000 slight injuries amongst van drivers each year.