Seatbelt issue . .. AIBU

In Australia you're fined on the spot if you don't have your rear seat belt on. This was so in the early 80's.

I used to drive local oldies who had trouble using public transport to various appts, for shopping, etc.

One old lady had trouble fastening her seat belt and didn't want me to do it for her, though I explained that it was necessary.
She said, 'I'll just hold it,' (!) and proceeded to hold the bit that goes in, next to the bit it goes into.

Needless to say, I had to insist!

I had a friend who refused to wear a seatbelt because it creased her clothes !

I couldn't find any information there as to whether the law concerning taxis is different, nor whether she could be sued if in the event of an accident other people in the vehicle were hurt because she had not fastened her seat-belt.

I think I'm right in saying the deaths in RTAs were in the thousands per year.

Afraid my dd went through a coach window as her teachers hadn’t reinforced the seat belt rule on a trip and many had life changing injuries. One fatality.

No one travels in any car with me without a belt and I would have either forced her to buckle up or refused to drive with her.

You are quite right op. She’s s selfish silly woman.

I was on a bus journey yesterday lasting over an hour. I seemed to be the only person on the bus using a seatbelt . In an accident other passengers could be thrown over me but I was the exception wearing a belt .

the taxi driver didn't insist that she put on her seat belt before setting off.
Every driver here in OZ, has to ensure all passengers are "belted", before setting off. Our 15-seater Council bus that takes us Oldies to the shopping centres is fitted throughout with belts and the driver has to check first. For passenger cars the driver cops any fine for non-compliance by passengers.

I think the statistics tell the story. In the bad old days pre seat belt legislation, I think I'm right in saying the deaths in RTAs were in the thousands per year. Now it's the low hundreds. You can't argue with that.

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Rosina I remember that advert too.
I'm surprised the taxi driver didn't insist that she put on her seat belt before he set off.

Thanks again for reinforcing that I wasn't being pathetic; although it was a short, low speed journey I know from unfortunate experience that a slow drive five minutes from home doesn't shop someone hitting you .

Sorry, pressed enter too soon....You are so right not to share a taxi with your 'friend' ever again.

I stopped to give an elderly parent of my BIL a lift. Our son was already in the back of the car, in his car seat, and when 'Bill' got in he front, he didn't fasten his seat belt. I asked him to, and he replied "I'm OK", I responded with "You may think you're OK, but what about the rest of us in this car ?" He still refused, so I asked him to get out of my car ! He got out... sometimes people feel the need to make their point, and mine was "No-one rides in my car without a seat belt on"

I think the issue of fines is immaterial, your friend is putting three people at risk
sweetie222 and I would not travel with her. A real friend would not risk your safety.

Over the age of 14 the passenger themselves are liable for the fines for not wearing a seatbelt.i personally would not go in a car with someone who wont wear one .

Rosina I remember that ad! I thought it was very effective, the accident came as such a shock -as it would in real life!

In Italy seatbelts are supposed to be compulsory but many people ignore the rule especially in the back of the car ! Don't get me started on the number of children loose in the car, standing in the rear between the seats , on adults laps in the front etc. It makes my blood boil when I see it and Italy is supposed to be a nation that loves children!! Huh!!

I, as driver, have refused to start the car until all seatbelts are fastened; I have no wish to have my passenger barrelling into my head if I have to break sharply. I see that London black cabs have a notice saying the driver will not take passengers unless they are buckled in.

Why are some people so obstinate.Where e live in another Country one is supposed to wear seatbelts on buses, there is even a flashing light wth a seat belt on it, before the driver drives away, but there is always someone defying the law and think they are above the law. If a bus crashes then people till be flung all over the place causing even more chaos, do these people think they are immortal?

I've never forgotten this advert:

youtu.be/mKHY69AFstE

Along with the death of my friend's Mother when we were 12 and she went through the windscreen and was killed because she wasn't wearing her seatbelt, it's made me fanatical about refusing to drive anyone who won't wear one.

'Back of his mother's head' - sorry, useless typist!

I remember a really shocking road safety ad on TV some years ago, showing a mother driving her children. There was a collision and the biggish boy in the back seat - unbelted - came forehead and his face struck the back of his mother's and killed her. He didn't look too good either - it was really graphic and disturbing to watch, and perhaps ought to be shown if there are enough stupid people out there refusing to wear a belt. I found belts restrictive for a while when they were first introduced, but now I would feel vulnerable and unsafe without one.

Point out to her that the use of seat belts is compulsory in the UK (and in most other European countries) and that she will be fined if the car is stopped by the police. That is abundantly clear from www.gov.uk/seat-belts-law

I couldn't find any information there as to whether the law concerning taxis is different, nor whether she could be sued if in the event of an accident other people in the vehicle were hurt because she had not fastened her seat-belt.

I feel like many others here that you are fully justified in refusing to share a car or taxi with her unless she is prepared to use a seat-belt.

NAughtyNanna - "this person will become a lethal projectile inside the vehicle". Exactly what I was thinking.

I remember the Jimmy Savil advertising campaign for "clunk click every trip" where in one of adverts he said "the car may have come to an abrupt halt, but you, inside the car, are still moving at 30mph"

You get hit by 10 stone of moving human being, give or take a few stone - and you're going to get hurt.

Sweetie222 - depending on how good a friend she is, I would definitely refuse to travel in a car with her again, but not necessarily drop the friendship.