DELIVERY drivers are being warned to belt up between drops as a new law comes into force.

At present, van drivers and their passengers do not have to wear a seatbelt when making short trips between deliveries or collections.

But from today, a new law comes into force making it compulsory for them to belt up on all journeys of more than 50 metres.

It has been estimated that between 30 per cent of van drivers and 43 per cent of their passengers fail to fasten their seatbelts.

Ninety-three per cent of car drivers and 94 per cent of front seat passengers buckle up.

The Department of Transport estimates that, if seatbelt wearing in these vehicles is brought up to the level seen in cars, this could prevent about 20 deaths a year, along with 240 serious casualties and 1,000 slight injuries.

Road Safety Minister David Jamieson said: "Following consultation, we decided that 50 metres was a reasonable distance to travel without wearing a seatbelt when undertaking deliveries or collections.

"Those carrying out genuine house-to-house calls will not be affected by the change.

"Making the law on this issue clear will help us bring down the number of delivery drivers risking injury by not wearing a seatbelt."