Drivers are urged to make sure they are wearing their seatbelt correctly.
Cumbria police has issued the message ahead of a national campaign which begins next Monday.
It is a requirement by law to wear a seatbelt or be fined up to £500.
Drivers can also face a fine if a child under 14 isn’t in the correct car seat or wearing a seat belt.
People not wearing a seatbelt correctly are twice as likely to die if involved in a collision, police said.
To wear a seatbelt correctly:
- Wear the seatbelt as tight as possible with no slack
- The lap belt should go over the pelvic region, not the stomach
- The diagonal stop should rest over the shoulder, not the neck.
- Nothing should obstruct the smooth movement of the belt by trapping it
In many vehicles, the height of the top of the seatbelt can be adjusted. If you cannot get the seatbelt to fit over you correctly, as described above, you should try adjusting the height.
Seatbelts should be regularly checked for damage. Common forms of damage to the seatbelt that will reduce its effectiveness in an accident, and lead to it failing an MOT test.
Sergeant Claire Sampson said: “Putting on your seatbelt takes seconds, its concerning to see people not wearing a seatbelt in the correct position, or even not at all.
“People are aware of the dangers but put their lives at risk as well as the lives of others in their own vehicle.
“Please wear your seat belt every time you travel in vehicle no matter how far you travel; it could save your life.”
Cumbria’s police and crime commissioner, Peter McCall, said: “Wearing a seatbelt does save lives and it is so important that we take the time to plug in – no matter how short a distance you are going.
“Not wearing a seatbelt is one of the fatal four alongside speeding, driving under the influence and distracted driving.
“Anti-social driving and dangerous driving is continuously raised to me by the public – the police do all they can to enforce the law, but everyone can take steps to help create a safer journey and one of these steps is to wear a seatbelt.
“Everyone wants to get home safely so please think before you drive and wear a seatbelt.”
