Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist has called for seatbelt offences to be brought in line with those for mobile phone offences.
The Government increased the penalty for being caught using a mobile phone at the wheel to a fine of £200 with six penalty points earlier this year, and the organisation is now lobbying for the same punishment for those found not wearing a seatbelt.
“The Government was made aware nearly a decade ago that seatbelt rates among drivers killed in crashes were just 65 per cent, compared with 94 per cent for the wider driving population”, said GEM Motoring Assist’s safety officer, Neil Worth.
“Now that road death numbers in the UK are at their highest for five years, it’s time ministers sent a clear message that the Government is serious about reducing casualties.
“Seatbelts reduce the risk of death by 45 per cent for drivers and front seat occupants. They also reduce the risk of serious injury by 50 per cent.
“Research shows time and again that seatbelt laws increase seatbelt use, and therefore reduce deaths and serious injuries*.
“We have seen mobile phone penalties for drivers rise in recent years, and if seatbelt offences were dealt with in a similar way, we believe would see a significant and immediate reduction in the number of drivers and vehicle occupants killed and seriously injured on our roads.”
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