Highest proportion of those who died and weren't belted up were rear-seat passengers
One in four car occupants killed in road crashes in 2023 were not wearing seatbelts, data suggests.
Figures from the Department for Transport (DfT) show that of the 410 car occupants who died and for whom seatbelt usage has been recorded, 101 (24.6%) were not buckled up.
According to the DFT “the percent of non-wearing increases substantially between 6pm and 6am. Between 10pm and 4am around 50% of car occupant fatalities are recorded as not wearing a seatbelt.”
The DfT says that “overall the rate of seatbelt non-wearing is generally higher for fatalities aged between 17 and 44.”
For 17-24 year-olds specifically, the proportion was 34%.
Non-seatbelt wearing was found to be highest amongst rear passengers.
Steve Gooding, Director of the RAC Foundation, said:
“It’s difficult to comprehend why anyone would choose not to wear a seatbelt, given the life-saving protection it provides. Over recent decades, vehicle safety has advanced significantly, but these benefits are undermined if drivers and passengers neglect to use the safety systems designed to protect them.
“While increasing penalties for non-compliance or developing technology to prevent vehicles from moving without everyone belted up could be explored, the core issue remains one of personal responsibility.
“Parents, in particular, have a crucial role in modelling safe behaviour – ensuring that buckling up becomes second nature for their children by demonstrating it on every journey, however short.
“Ultimately, wearing a seatbelt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious harm on the road, and however safe a driver you think you are there is always the chance of being involved in a crash caused by someone else.”
Drivers can be fined £500 for not wearing a seatbelt or not ensuring that passengers under the age of 14 are belted up or in the correct car seat.
The non-wearing of a seatbelt is one of the
so-called ‘fatal four’ factors in crashes where someone is killed together with: speeding, being under the influence of drink or drugs, and using a mobile device.
ENDS
Contact:
Philip Gomm – Head of External Communications – RAC Foundation
[email protected] | 07711 776448
Notes to editors:
The RAC Foundation is a transport policy and research organisation which explores the economic, mobility, safety and environmental issues relating to roads and their users.
The Foundation publishes independent and authoritative research with which it promotes informed debate and advocates policy in the interest of the responsible motorist. For more information visit www.racfoundation.org