Being a competent, defensive driver is not just restricted to learning technical driving skills and tactics. One of the simplest and most effective defensive driving techniques to learn is to ALWAYS wear a seat belt. It is a proven fact that seat belts save lives, and drivers should arm themselves well with all the correct seat belt safety facts.The following myths about seat belts are often relied on, but are completely untrue:

Seat Belt Safety Fact or Myth #1

  • It’s only a short trip so I won’t need to wear a seat belt.
    Untrue. The majority of road accidents occur within 10 km of home, so it’s buckling up on a short trip is very important.


Seat Belt Safety Fact or Myth #2

  • The back seat is safer than the front seat.
    Untrue. Research shows that if you’re not wearing a seat belt, the back seat is no safer than the front seat.

Seat Belt Safety Fact or Myth #3

  • I don’t need a seat belt because I am not a fast driver
    Untrue. Crashing a motor vehicle at 40 km/h has an equal impact as falling from a two storey building on to concrete.

Seat Belt Safety Fact or Myth #4

  • Pregnant women are not required to wear seat belts
    Untrue. The only circumstance where a pregnant can travel without a seat belt is where the passenger carries a medical certificate signed by a qualified medical practitioner stating she cannot be restrained for medical reasons. A seat belt worn correctly protects both the mother and the unborn child.

Seat Belt Safety Fact or Myth #5

  • It’s not my concern if my passenger does not wear a seat belt
    Untrue. In a vehicle accident, an unrestrained passenger is a lethal weapon capable of killing or seriously injuring others in the car.

It is illegal in many countries not to wear a seat belt. In Australia for example, it is the law that every person travelling in a car must wear a seat belt if one is available. Stiff penalties apply to people who break the law. Many more countries around the world are now implementing this law, and the “buckling up” message and its importance to remaining safe on the roads is being heard loud and clear.

Wearing seat belts is clearly one of the easiest defensive driving techniques a driver or passenger can employ, and learning all the seat belt safety facts is the best place to start.