Seatbelt shirkers face points on their licence: Motorists could get harsher punishment than a fine for flouting safety law under new proposal
- Drivers could face penalty points rather than just fines for not wearing a seatbelt
- It is being considered by ministers amid fears growing numbers are flouting law
- Number of drivers and passengers who died not wearing seatbelt has increased
Drivers could face penalty points rather than just fines for not wearing a seatbelt.
The change is being considered by ministers amid fears that growing numbers are flouting the law.
The proportion of drivers and passengers who died while not wearing a seatbelt increased from 19 per cent in 2013 to 23 per cent in 2019.
Data from police investigations suggests the true figure is much higher and close to 33 per cent.
The proportion of drivers and passengers who died while not wearing a seatbelt increased from 19 per cent in 2013 to 23 per cent in 2019 (stock image)
Pacts, the parliamentary advisory council for transport safety, said the existing penalty was not a big enough deterrent.
'Seatbelts are a great success story but the job is not yet done,' David Davies, the group's executive director, told The Times.
'The £100 fine does not emphasise to drivers the seriousness of the risk.'
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The shake-up is expected to be in a Department for Transport strategy out on Friday. It will also contain measures on encouraging more walking and cycling.
The mandate to wear a seatbelt in the front came into force in 1983 and in the back in 1991.
However, it is feared the rise of large urban 4x4s giving people a false sense of security may in part be driving a reduced compliance with the law.
Currently a licence-holder can be given a £100 fine for the offence, with this increasing to £500 if taken to court (stock image)
It is also thought that many passengers in the back of taxis refuse to belt up.
Currently a licence-holder can be given a £100 fine for the offence, with this increasing to £500 if taken to court.
However, many offenders opt to take an online seatbelt awareness course which costs £53.
In 2019, almost a quarter of car drivers and passengers killed in road accidents (23 per cent) were not wearing the safety measure.
This had increased from 19 per cent six years earlier.
The parliamentary advisory council for transport safety (Pacts)was set up by the MPs and peers involved in the seat belt campaign four decades ago.
The group said the existing fine is now longer acting as a sufficient deterrent.
David Davies, executive director, told the Times: 'Seatbelts are a great success story but the job is not yet done. The £100 fine does not emphasise to drivers the seriousness of the risk.'
Penalty points are usually seen as a more successful mode of encouraging people to abide by safety laws. Drivers are usually banned if they rack up at least 12 points in three years.
Data from police investigations suggest the proportion of road crash victims not wearing belts are actually much higher, closer to a third of accidents.
On Friday the Department for Transport is expected to publish a strategy to promote more cycling and walking. It will also contain a commitment to a new road safety plan. Sources told the Times it was likely to contain tougher punishments for evading seat belt laws.
The department originally conceived of penalty points - on top of fines - in 2019 under former Transport Secretary Chris Grayling but the reforms have yet to be introduced.
