Since the United Kingdom implemented mandatory seatbelt laws in 1983, seatbelts have saved approximately 2,000 lives annually.

This equates to tens of thousands of lives preserved over the past four decades.

However, new research reveals that many motorists are still not belting up and are contributing to the high number of road casualties.

Uncomfortable truths

Despite these significant achievements, recent data from The AA Charitable Trust reveals that more than one in seven drivers (15%) regularly observe other motorists not wearing their seatbelt on motorways.

Additionally, 14% have noticed passengers travelling unbelted on these high-speed roads.

The AA Charitable Trust has expressed ongoing concerns regarding seatbelt non-compliance, emphasizing that seatbelts reduce the risk of death in a crash by approximately 50%.

Their recent campaign highlights that nearly a third (29%) of young drivers aged 17 to 29 who die in car crashes were not wearing seatbelts, with 95% of these fatalities being male.

Government statistics from 2023 further underscore the issue, indicating that around a quarter of all car occupants killed were not wearing seatbelts.

The Department for Transport reports that seatbelt non-wearing fatalities are highest among rear seat passengers (40%).

Weekends show the highest rates of non-compliance (28% on Saturdays and 30% on Sundays).

 

 

Tightening the belt

In response to these findings, The AA Charitable Trust advocates for stronger penalties for not wearing a seatbelt, increased police patrols, and enhanced public education campaigns to address this critical safety issue.

Edmund King, Director of the AA Charitable Trust, stated: “These figures are of huge concern, and action is needed to help raise the importance of wearing a seatbelt. The fact that one in seven drivers are regularly spotting other drivers and passengers not belting up on the motorway is shuddering and only highlights the desperate need to strengthen and enforce seatbelt laws.”

King added: “Road safety is a shared responsibility, and wearing a seat belt is a crucial step in protecting yourself and others on the road. It is worrying that a 3-second task is being avoided by a growing number of car users. Many things should be second nature, yet for some reason, not wearing a seatbelt is becoming an unwelcome trend. As well as better enforcement, we need to give courage to people to call out their mates when they get in their car and refuse to belt up.”

Clunky clicks

In the UK, seatbelt laws have evolved over time.

Front seat belts became compulsory on all new cars registered in 1968, but wearing them became mandatory only in 1983.

Rear seat belts became compulsory equipment from 1986, with their use becoming mandatory in 1991.

Despite the clear evidence of seatbelt effectiveness, a PACTS report found that 31% of those who died in vehicles in 2018 were not wearing a seatbelt.

PACTS has called for the introduction of three penalty points for those who fail to wear a seatbelt.

 

Research from AXA UK and the charity Brake in 2024 revealed that while 96% of drivers surveyed said they always wear a seat belt, in practice, this may not always be the case.

A quarter of car occupants who die in crashes on Britain’s roads are not wearing a seat belt – this figure rises to 41% for crashes that occur at night (6pm-8am).

The AA Charitable Trust’s findings and ongoing campaigns serve as a stark reminder of the importance of seatbelt use and the need for continued efforts to promote compliance for the safety of all road users.