Police are offering drivers with additional needs free seatbelt covers to help them communicate in the event of incidents such as road traffic collisions. The seatbelt covers are a new initiative for Devon & Cornwall Police and give help to people with a speech, language or communication need which may create a barrier.
The seatbelt cover can be personalised and wrapped around an adult seatbelt using Velcro. A card inside the seatbelt cover allows the user to add their name, age, address, medical conditions or other information about how they like to be communicated with. Devon and Cornwall Police’s Acting Insp John Ford said: “Road traffic collisions can be stressful and distressing for everyone. For people with a speech, language or communication need it can be especially hard.”
“The seatbelt covers are a simple but important way to let others know that you may need extra help in certain situations, whether you are a driver or passenger.
“Road traffic collisions can be stressful and distressing for everyone. For people with a speech, language or communication need it can be especially hard in these situations.
“The covers are easily attached to adult seatbelts and then easily removed if you want to use them in a different vehicle. The lightweight covers are also easy to pop into a bag and transport around.”
The useful packs have been distributed to each Police Enquiry Office (PEO) across Devon and Cornwall so anyone who feels they may benefit from one can collect one during office opening hours.
“Being involved in a serious collision is a traumatic experience for anyone, but for those with communication barriers it can be particularly frightening,” said Alison Hernandez, Police & Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly, who is also chair of the Vision Zero South West road safety partnership.
She added: “These carefully designed seatbelt covers help not only the casualties, but also emergency service staff or members of the public who are first on the scene at a collision.
“Initiatives like this play a really important role in this ambition and I would urge anyone who wants one of these seatbelt covers to head to their local Police Enquiry Office.”