By Claire Davies

THERE has been a rise in the number of crashes where someone was injured while not wearing a seatbelt, West Mercia Police figures show.

Since 2015, there have been 94 people injured in road collisions where they not wearing a seatbelt.

In 2017, eight people died as a result of their injuries while not wearing a seatbelt – up from four the previous year and two in 2015.

While serious injuries as a result of not wearing a seatbelt increased from three in 2015 to 18 in 2017 – and there have been three so far in 2018.

In 2016, three children sustained slight injuries as a result of not wearing a seatbelt when a collision took place.

The increase in collisions where injuries were due to not wearing a seatbelt has prompted a plea from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).

Kevin Clinton, head of road safety at RoSPA, said: “Wearing a seatbelt is a very effective way of reducing the chances of being fatally or seriously injured in a crash. It won’t stop the crash from happening, but it will protect the driver and passengers from serious injury. Seatbelts have saved thousands of lives since they became compulsory in the 1980s.

“Reasons often given for not wearing seatbelts are forgetfulness, inconvenience and only going on a short journey. If a driver doesn’t wear a belt, their passengers are less likely to do so.”