Police Offer Free Seatbelt Covers for People with Communication Needs

Motorists and passengers across Devon and Cornwall with communication needs are being offered free seatbelt covers designed to make it easier to get help after a road traffic collision.

The covers are now available from Police Enquiry Offices across the region and are aimed at supporting people with speech, language or communication barriers.

How the seatbelt covers work

The lightweight covers can be personalised and wrapped around an adult seatbelt using Velcro. Inside is a card where the wearer can include details such as their name, age, address, medical conditions or information about how they like to be communicated with.

In an emergency, a first responder or member of the public can quickly check the card to understand the person’s needs and help them feel safe. The card can also be used to point to an injured part of the body if the wearer is unable to speak.

Each seatbelt cover comes with a leaflet and a QR code linking to an accessible video, which is also available here. The video, funded by Vision Zero South West, includes British Sign Language.

Police explain the importance

Acting Inspector Jon Ford, from the Diverse Communities Team at Devon & Cornwall Police, said:
“There may be all sorts of reasons why someone needs extra help with communication after an incident on the road. They may be neurodiverse, have a learning disability or perhaps a medical condition which affects their speech.

“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.”

Commissioner backs the scheme

Alison Hernandez, Police & Crime Commissioner for Devon, Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly and chair of Vision Zero South West, added:
“Being involved in a serious collision is a traumatic experience for anyone, but for those with communication barriers it can be particularly frightening.

“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.

“Through the fantastic post-collision work of Dr Tim Nutbeam and the EXIT project, we know that early extrication from a vehicle can mean the difference between life and death – so being able to communicate clearly with anyone trapped in a vehicle is vital.

“All Vision Zero South West partners have committed to halving the number of people killed and seriously injured on our roads by 2030 – and eventually, to zero. 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.”

Where to get one

The free packs are available from Police Enquiry Offices across Devon and Cornwall during normal opening hours. Offices are closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays, and numbers are limited as this is a pilot.

To check your nearest office visit Find a police station