Drivers, passengers can be fined $2,000 for not wearing a seatbelt

The Royal St Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force (RSVGPF) is urging drivers and all passengers in vehicles to wear seatbelts no matter where they are seated.

Inspector Henry Providence told SEARCHLIGHT that apart from the fact that wearing a seatbelt is a safety measure, not wearing one is a crime.

“We want to make a strong appeal to persons to wear seatbelts; seatbelts save lives and contrary to what some persons believe, that a seatbelt is difficult to wear, they are there for a purpose and it is an offence for you whether you are driving, or you are a passenger in a motor vehicle, to not wear a seatbelt,” Inspector Providence stated.

He said that persons riding in the rear passenger seats of privately-owned vehicles who do not wear seatbelts can be charged.

“Persons are of the opinion that it is only persons who are riding at the front of these privately-owned vehicles that should be wearing seatbelts.

“That is not the case and that is not what the law is saying….Once you are driving you should wear a seatbelt,… once you are riding also to the front or the rear of privately owned motor vehicles you should be wearing a seatbelt,” Providence said.

However, in the case of omnibuses/public transport, persons are only required to wear seatbelts if they are seated at the front of the vehicle.

Someone caught not wearing a seatbelt and convicted in court may be fined up to $2,000 for a first offence and up to $5,000 if convicted again.

“These are very hard times, so people may not have that money to give to the court, so that is why we are appealing to persons to wear the seatbelts.

“We have charged persons and sometimes it does not specify where they are riding,” said the traffic officer.

He also noted that they are making a strong appeal to motorists to be extra cautious as they move throughout the length and breadth of the country.

“We want to advise persons that it is important that they pay attention to the road and where you are driving. It is important that you pay 100 per cent attention to the road and what is taking place on the road. We do not want again to see any accident and persons being killed,” said Providence.