Please fasten your seatbelt

[gumby6371]

Just thought I'd ask a question that has puzzled me for a long time.

Why is it that a large number of drivers refuse to fasten their seat belt until they're on the move?

I see it all the time, especially on car parks where people just miss parked cars as they try to grab the belt, steer and talk to the kids in the back whilst narrowly avoid hitting my car!!!!

Maybe it's because I drive an older diesel but my routine is sit down, turn ignition on, fasten belt (glow plug light has now gone out) start engine.

I'm really struggling to think of a situation where saving 2 seconds by not fastening my belt is that important.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not Mr H&S I just don't fancy a fine for not wearing my belt. I'm so much in the habit now I've even caught myself buckling up shuffling cars on the drive.

Surely anyone driving before the legal requirement to wear a belt came in should be in the habit by now????

[Gary406]

i have a very bad habit of not even using it to be honest .
ye i know i should and sometimes my kids do remind me. and ive started getting into habit of using it .

but when i do i do it before i set off ye not half way down street

[Welly]

I haven't got time to buckle up, I'm too busy making calls on the mobile.....

[highlander]

The handbrake doesn't come off until everyone in the car is buckled up. No belt, no lift.

[scotty73]

This whole law that you can reverse without a seatbelt on is a bit dodgy, every time i leave my house i have to turn the car so i reverse into the turning (seatbelt off) and sometime find myself getting to the end of my street (13 houses) before realising i'm still unbuckled... Not good.

[robb]

I,m a stickler for seatbelt use especially where my grandchildren are concerned, the littlest one whose three tries my patience and refuses to belt up so I pretend to phone her parents which usually works if not the car goes nowhere till she does

[Alberto]

as i`m foreign in uk,i allways clink clunk my belt,dont want to deal with police at all

[Doggy]

I haven't got time to buckle up, I'm too busy making calls on the mobile.....

Quite right.

Same with indicators, trying to use them while you're on the phone is just plain dangerous.

[sirwiggum]

I,m a stickler for seatbelt use especially where my grandchildren are concerned, the littlest one whose three tries my patience and refuses to belt up so I pretend to phone her parents which usually works if not the car goes nowhere till she does

A good trick for going to the playpark, not such a good technique when going to the dentists!

as i`m foreign in uk,i allways clink clunk my belt,dont want to deal with police at all

Safest way.

Earlier on the motorway I saw a Passat W8 with quad exhausts. Pulled alongside and saw it was an unmarked car
The lack of dealer name on the numberplates was the giveaway (though not a foolproof rule).

[FarmerPug]

I have it on before doing anything else, its become intuitive to put the belt on. If passengers don't put their belt on i don't move, its not just the danger aspect but if your caught with no belt on i don't really want a fine or penalty points out of it.

[Alberto]

story happened a few months ago,guy was taking me home,i was sitting in the back,with no belt on,city center was packed at 4 pm so we were moving slowly,spotted 2 officers on the path,they were just standing and chating,didnt mind,after 50 yards another officer jumped in the middle of the road and linked us into the car park,car park was packed with about 5 or more police cars and about 10 cars me and my driver ended up with warning because of me not wearing seat belt they used nice spot stop scheme

it`s drivers responsibility all pasangers must wear seat belts,my mates knows that:) i have no trouble at all with them

[rwb]

Can't say I'd noticed.

The time between turning on the ignition and the glow plug light going out on the XUD was just long enough to put the seatbelt on. In fact, that's still the order I do things in.

[Bailes1992]

I start my car up in the mornings, then put my seatbelt on. Gives the car a few seconds to build up oil pressure and what not.

Also get home, seatbelt comes off, then I turn the car off to give it a little run down time.

[OdinEidolon]

I start my car up in the mornings, then put my seatbelt on. Gives the car a few seconds to build up oil pressure and what not.

Also get home, seatbelt comes off, then I turn the car off to give it a little run down time.

Best way! I do so too.

[sirwiggum]

It goes on in between priming the ignition and starting the car.

A hangover from my own XUD days
(Remembering harsh Scottish winters, pumping and pumping the old ZX to get her to start when a glowplug or 2 were down. I mind keeping blankets over the engine at night to keep the heat in a bit! )