Seatbelt plea safety call by hospital head (From Ilkley Gazette)

Seatbelt plea safety call by hospital head

9:00am Tuesday 28th August 2012 in Local news

A hospital consultant is urging car users across the district to belt up.

Tony Shenton has seen at first hand horrific injuries sustained by people who have not worn a seatbelt.

He said one family was recently brought in to accident and emergency at Bradford Royal Infirmary after a car accident. They had not been wearing seatbelts, but fortunately escaped with cuts and bruises.

“These adults and children were very, very fortunate as it could have been a lot worse,” said Mr Shenton.

“I know I won’t be in an exclusive club when I say that time and time again I see young children not strapped into their safety seats, despite there being widespread public health messages telling parents this is the law and the safest means of travel for young ones.

“I feel it is time to send out a message to our community again that wearing a seatbelt is one of the most effective and proven means of reducing the likelihood of death and serious injury in a crash.”

Buying a car seat now could save you child's life

Hospital consultant Tony Shenton

He urged people across the district to consult with Bradford Council’s road safety team if they wanted to check that their safety seats were fitted correctly.

He said: “Car seats for children are widely available, and buying one now could save your child’s life if you are involved in a collision.

“During my lengthy career, I have seen horrific injuries from car accidents involving children and adults who weren’t wearing restraints – I don’t want to see any more.”

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents estimates that since wearing a seatbelt became a legal requirement in 1983, more than 50,000 lives had been saved in Britain thanks to front seatbelts alone.

Sue Snoddy, the council’s casualty reduction and road safety partnership manager, said: “I fully endorse Tony’s messages about car safety seats.

“Too many people think that because they are only making a short journey on local roads, they don’t need to bother wearing their seatbelt, but the reality is that it is the law and they should be worn on every trip. After all, a seatbelt could end up saving your life.”

Visit childcarseats.org.uk or call the road safety team on (01274) 437409 for further information.