Buckle-up law turns 30: Do you?

NDON, England - Seat-belt laws were first put into place 30 years ago in the UK (1983) but there are still issues about their use. One in five UK drivers claims to know somebody who doesn’t use a belt while in the front seat.

Today (Jan 31 2013) is the 30th anniversary belts' compulsory use and the latest UK figures show 95% of drivers and 96% of front passengers and 89% of rear passengers use one. Yet, every year, their non-use causes multiple deaths and serious injuries.

SAFETY FIRST

More younger drivers know someone who doesn’t wear a belt than do older people.

• In the back of a car, 41% of 18 to 29-year-olds know someone who doesn’t wear a belt compared to 25% of people older than 45
• Drivers and passengers aged 17-34 have the lowest wearing frequency combined with the most deaths or injuries..
  
• 14% of adults admit to being inconsistent buckle-uppers.
  

The UK's Institute of Advanced Motorists chief executive Simon Best said: “In the past three decades seat belts have made a fantastic contribution to road safety in Britain and saved thousands of lives but the ongoing message needs to be reinforced to all age groups.

“All the technology in a modern car assumes the occupant is wearing a seat belt. Younger drivers know that not wearing a one is perilous but they must still be reminded that no matter where you are sitting in a car a belt can save your life.”

Do you wear a seat belt because you think it’s safer or did something unpleasant trigger your need to buckle-up? Email us and we'll publish your thoughts or use the Readers' Comments section below...