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UK: This is "why seatbelt stops are illegal"

Updated: Apr 29, 2021

According to https://www.gov.uk/seat-belts-law You must wear a seat belt if one is fitted in the seat you're using - there are only a few exceptions. You can be fined up to £500 if you don't wear a seat belt when you're supposed to.

The issue with seatbelt stops is that some people whom do not buckle up fail to do so because they have a hidden disability, and they find the seatbelt either unsafe, or incredibly tight. Some people may feel as if they cannot breath by wearing a seatbelt, seatbelts should also be personal choice because 'fining' someone for not buckling up only gives the state revenue, fining someone whom has failed to wear his/her seatbelt will not save any lives.


Seatbelt stops are illegal because you cannot pull someone over simply just to ask them what their disability is, and you especially cannot pull someone over to demand proof of the driver/passengers disability (seatbelt exemption) as this amounts to discrimination.


Failure to wear a seatbelt is also quite hard to prove unless you confess (remain silent), and stay calm, then you may have grounds later on to sue the police/enforcement official.


According to https://wcnnews.wixsite.com/news/post/uk-can-you-get-away-without-wearing-your-seatbelt-your-rights-explained It is entirely up to you whether you choose to pay the fine, or whether you take it to court, however the likelihood of the police being able to prove that you weren't strapped in is incredibly low, the chances of them being able to prove this are even lower if you were a back-seat passenger with tinted windows, the chances of admissible evidence is far lower if you put the seatbelt on straight away when you saw the police before they had noticed you. The police will likely need a 'confession' to prosecute you with valid evidence, you are under no legal obligation to disclose the offense because you have the 'right to remain silent'. You should decide to take the matter to court if there is a lack of evidence, or you believe that the police acted unlawfully whilst stopping you/your passenger(s), however you should be aware that if you opt to go to court and there does happen to be valid evidence held against you then you may receive an even higher sanction.


According to https://wcnnews.wixsite.com/news/post/uk-can-you-get-away-without-wearing-your-seatbelt-your-rights-explained You have the 'right to remain silent', note: anything you do say may be used against you.

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