30 years of buckling up - but minority still flout laws
6 readers have commented on this story
On the 30th anniversary of the introduction of seatbelt legislation (31 January), 20% of motorists claim to know someone who still does not buckle-up in the front of a car, according to the IAM.
Kathleen Braidwood, road safety officer at RoSPA Scotland, said: “Despite the fact that thousands of lives have been saved by seatbelts, latest figures still show that a minority of people are not belting up.
For more information contact the IAM.
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I personally think that if a seat belt is fitted to a vehicle then it must be worn regardless - no exceptions, no excuses. I have always worn a seat belt (where fitted) as I feel safer.
Phil, Kent
I visited a school Friday gone. 7 out of 15 year 5 and 14 out of 30 year 6 admitted to travelling in a car without a seat belt. What are the adults who are driving thinking about? If your passengers are not buckled, don't take them for a ride!
Denise, Darlington
18 people agree
2 people disagree
Were there really only 220 deaths and serious injuries not wearing seatbelts? If 5% of occupants not wearing seatbelts, I would expect more than 5% of occupant injuries to involve seatbelts not being worn. 220 deaths not wearing seatbelts seems an overestimate, but I doubt a mere 220 KSI.
Dave, Slough
I've driven 100,000s of miles without seat belts - and still often do, in old cars that cannot sensibly be fitted with them. It doesn't bother me at all or anyone I know who does the same. But that is because we know and are prepared to accept the greater risk, to be able to enjoy those cars as they were meant to be driven.
My point is not that seat belts do not reduce casualties, clearly they do, but what proportion of the % recorded not wearing belts (a) are not obliged to and (b) don't have them anyway? Not insignificant, I would think.
In the 1960's my business partner hit a grass verge on a 90 degree bend, in his open Austin Healey S3, took off, the car rolled over 3 times and was written off, he fell out and suffered a stiff neck - you never can tell!
Idris Francis Fight Back With Facts Petersfield
Funny how the drivers who don't use their seatbelts tend also to be the ones who drive in such a way as to actually need to wear them more than most - there will no doubt come a day when their luck runs out.
Hugh Jones, Cheshire
Amazing really that we still have the situation where taxi drivers don't legally have to wear one in they have a POB. Any plans from the DfT to address this?
Surprised no one's developed system to prevent the car being driven without the seatbelt fastened - surely wiring that little blinking light to the ignition wouldn't be so tricky!
Dave, Leeds
