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15 September 2008
The Home Office has launched a consultation into increasing the fixed penalty for those who fail to wear a seatbelt.
The consultation (new window) seeks views on increasing the fixed penalty from £30 to £60 for failure to comply with seat belt legislation.
The government hopes the increase will convince those people who still risk injury or death to themselves and others to start using their seat belts.
While educational campaigns and publicity have made considerable differences in behaviour, some drivers and passengers still ignore the risks.
In crashes at speeds between 0 and 30 mph, seat belts reduce the risk of death by 60%.
Other changes possible
The consultation also seeks views on increasing the fixed penalty for the misrepresentation of vehicle registration marks from £30 to £60.
The use of illegal number plates can have a significant impact on criminal investigations and crime detection, particularly on the effective use of automatic number plate recognition cameras to help police fight crime.
Home Office minister's statement
Home Office Minister Vernon Coaker said, 'The vast majority of motorists wear seat belts but some drivers and passengers still choose not to, even though wearing a seat belt is a key factor in avoiding death or injury in a car crash.
'By increasing the fixed penalty we hope to deter more motorists from not wearing a seat belt, and underline to them and other road users the risks.'
Road Safety minister's statement
Road Safety Minister Jim Fitzpatrick said, 'Wearing a seat belt could save your life; it's as simple as that. Research is clear that around 350 lives in 2006 could have been saved by belting up.
'We are determined all drivers and passengers realise the importance of wearing a seat belt, both in the front and back of a vehicle. Today's proposal sends a clear message about this and will encourage more people to belt up for all trips.
'Alongside this, the Department for Transport (new window) will soon be launching a new, hard-hitting public information campaign, reminding everyone of the value of always using a seat belt.'
Notes to editors
- The consultation document can be found on the Home Office website (new window).
- The promotion of seatbelt use by the THINK! road safety (new window) campaign is one of the Department for Transport's priorities.
- The most recent observational survey (by TRL Ltd, in August 2007) shows seatbelt use rates of 94%/93% for drivers/front passengers but only 70% for adult passengers aged 14+ in back seats.
- The Department for Transport has been promoting the use of seat belts since 1973, long before it became compulsory by law to use one. The THINK! programme reinforces the message to new generations of drivers and passengers through powerful TV and radio advertisements.
