Penalty points must be introduced to change the attitudes and behaviours of the “forgetful or reckless minority” who fail to wear a seat belt.
That’s the call from PACTS, as it marks 40 years since seat belt legislation first came into effect.
Data shows around 30% of people who died in cars in 2021 were not wearing a seat belt – some 200 men, women, and children.
This is despite the fact that most drivers and passengers now comply without a second thought.
An observation survey, carried out by the Government in the autumn of 2021, found just under 95% of drivers (in all vehicle types) were wearing a seatbelt.
The fine for not wearing a seat belt currently stands at £100.
PACTS says for many drivers this is no deterrent, adding that unlike the much stiffer penalties for mobile phones, speeding or drink driving, it fails to convey the safety importance of belting up.
To coincide with the anniversary, PACTS president Barry Sheerman MP has tabled a bill to make failure to wear a seat belt an endorsable offence. He hopes to present this in the Commons today (31 January).
David Davies, PACTS executive director, said: “30% of people who died in cars in 2021 were not wearing a seat belt – some 200 men, women, and children. A seat belt halves the chance of death in a crash – but only if you wear it.
“If the Government is serious about reducing deaths on the road, then stiffer penalties must be introduced to change the attitudes and behaviours of this forgetful or reckless minority.
“The current £100 fine does not emphasise to drivers the seriousness of the risk and is out of step with the offences. PACTS is calling for a package of measures and penalty points are essential.”
This is a laudable aim but the devil is in the detail. The complication with penalty points for seatbelt offences is that non-drivers can be offenders. As I see it there are 4 possibilities:
1) Remain a non-endorsable offence
2) Endorsements against provisional driver number for non-drivers – only a deterrent for people who expect to become drivers within the next few years.
3) Endorsements for the driver for any passengers not wearing a seatbelt (drivers are currently responsible for the seatbelts of any passengers under the age of 14). This might be unfair in situations where a driver lacks the confidence or authority in their relationship with the passenger to demand that they wear a seatbelt.
4) Endorsements for all offenders who have a full driving licence, other disposal for non-drivers. I would be interested in a legal expert’s view on whether having different disposal options depending on who committed the offence is lawful.
Whatever the penalty, increasing the chances of offenders getting caught – and making sure this is well publicised – has been shown to have a strong deterrent effect.
William Cubbin, Chelmsford
+7
Support this call. I also believe that there is an ‘aggravated’ form where parents have young children in the vehicle who are also unbelted. These should receive higher penalties.
Alan Thompson, Herne Bay
+7
It’s about time fines were increased too,. The last time they were increased from £60.00 to £100.00 was back in 2013. We are probably the cheapest in Europe for such offences as speeding, red lights, etc. A deterrent should be just that.
Brian Chidgey, Bournemouth
+6
Stiffer penalties – the answer to everything? I’d be more impressed if the PACTS president had first explained to us WHY some people don’t see the need to use a seat belt, and WHY stiffer penalties are the answer. If, as I understand it, the problem concerns the relative influences of the limbic and neocortical brains on our actions, then I’m not so sure that stiffer penalties are a satisfactory answer.
Fraser Andrew, STIRLING
--6
Penalty points are for actions that can affect the risk of injury or death. Hence it is absolutely clear that points are warranted for failing to buckle up. This is entirely consistent with the legal framework and helps sends out a message. I would also urge consideration of reducing the exemptions. Why should taxi drivers be exempt?
Peter Whitfield, Liverpool
+6
Perhaps the endorsement should not only be for drivers not wearing their seatbelt, but for drivers carrying passengers not wearing a seatbelt. Whilst it might seem unfair to some drivers where a passenger takes off their seatbelt for some reason while the vehicle is in motion, it would at least mean they might ensure all occupants had a seatbelt on before they set off.
The fines would still stay with the passenger.
Saul Jeavons
0