ONE of the women behind the ELY Memorial Fund has highlighted the Life-Saving Importance of seat belts on the BBC.

Ange Tyler, who is on a mission to save lives and is the charity manager for the memorial fund, named after her daughter Emma Louise Young, who tragically lost her life in a road traffic accident at the age of 23. joined Tammy Gooding on the BBC Hereford & Worcester Breakfast Show to discuss the critical importance of wearing seat belts, particularly among young people.

She said: “Would you get into a car and not put on your seatbelt?” and pointed the statistics are sobering as a quarter of young passenger deaths could be avoided if seat belts were worn.

“Despite this, many young passengers still take the unnecessary risk of not buckling up,” she added.

Ange emphasised how wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of death in a collision by around 50 per cent, turning what should be a natural action into a life-saving habit.

“At just 15mph, the jolt in a crash is phenomenal, and without a seat belt, the consequences can be devastating,” added Ange.

The ELY Memorial Fund is committed to educating young people about road safety, ensuring that putting on a seat belt becomes as automatic as starting the engine. Working closely with the Hereford & Worcester Fire Service, the charity delivers interactive workshops to schools and community groups and life-saving advice.

“Young people are willing to learn, and by reaching them early, we can help them understand the risks and build safe habits for life,” Ange said.

The workshops, supported by local Fire Service teams, provide hands-on guidance on wearing seat belts correctly: Over the shoulder; Around the belly; Clipped securely at the belly.

A fund-raising fashion show is planned to be held in Ross-on-Wye later this year.