Not wearing seatbelts contributes to 40% of backseat fatalities
Nearly half of backseat passengers killed in car crashes were not wearing seatbelts, according to new analysis from the Department for Transport (DfT).
Its data revealed that 40% of passengers who lost their lives in collisions had not buckled up.
This compares to 23% of drivers and 19% of front-seat passengers.
Meanwhile, overall fatality rates among those not wearing seatbelts increased from 21% in 2022 to 25% in 2023, with the highest percentages of fatalities observed among males (29%) and those aged 35-44 (37%).
RAC Foundation director Steve Gooding said:
“It’s difficult to comprehend why anyone would choose not to wear a seatbelt, given the life-saving protection it provides. Over recent decades, vehicle safety has advanced significantly, but these benefits are undermined if drivers and passengers neglect to use the safety systems designed to protect them.
“While increasing penalties for non-compliance or developing technology to prevent vehicles from moving without everyone belted up could be explored, the core issue remains one of personal responsibility.
“Parents, in particular, have a crucial role in modelling safe behaviour – ensuring that buckling up becomes second nature for their children by demonstrating it on every journey, however short.”
