ROSPA survey: 370 people are killed on the road whilst not wearing a seatbelt

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) has commisioned research which suggests that a third of car occupants receiving fatal injuries in a road crash have not been wearing seatbelts. The research also says that only 69% of van drivers actually wear a seatbelt. The Society therefore estimate that 370 people a year are being killed in road accidents whilst not wearing a seatbelt.

According to further research from the Department for Transport, although nine out of ten people agree it is dangerous to travel in the back of a car without a seatbelt, only seven in ten adults actually wear belts when sitting in the back.

The Society is campaigning for drivers and passengers who fail to wear their seatbelts to receive three penalty points. Under the current law, those convicted of a seatbelt offence face a maximum fine of £500. If a fixed penalty notice is offered and accepted, then the fine is £30. However, failing to wear a seatbelt is not currently a penalty point offence.

The Department for Transport is in the process of commissioning further research looking at attitudes to the wearing of seatbelts and it is expected that the results of this will be made public towards the end of 2008.

For more information contact Tim Williamson, a solicitor in Blake Lapthorn's Drivers' Defence team on 01865 253286; email tim.williamson@bllaw.co.uk.