News & Features

Motorists not Wearing Seatbelts Large Contributor to Road Casualties

Posted in General News on Thursday, September 26th, 2024

Motorists not wearing seatbelts is proving to be a large contributing factor in road casualties. According to Department for Transport (DfT) statistics, in 2023 around a quarter of all car occupant fatalities were not wearing seatbelts, but this proportion was higher for male car occupant fatalities and occupants travelling in the evening and night (6pm to 8am). 
  
Jack Cousens, head of roads policy at the AA, said; “Any fatality on our roads is one too many. While the headline figure shows a 5% fall in the total number of lives lost, there is much to be worried about when looking at the details. Shockingly, the number of drivers that lost their lives while not wearing a seatbelt has increased from a fifth in 2022 to a quarter in 2023. While ultimate responsibility lies with those sitting in the driving seat, 46% of drivers feel they could get away with it due to a lack of police on our roads. The AA’s Motoring Manifesto made clear the actions we’d like the new government to take to help improve road safety. A meaningful road safety strategy is desperately clear, as well as more road traffic officers to help enforce the rules of the road.” 

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