YOUNG DRIVERS ADMIT TO NOT WEARING SEAT BELTS, SURVEY FINDS

[ALMOST TWO IN FIVE (38%) of 25 to 34-year-old drivers admit they do not always wear a seat belt when on the road, according to a report published in March by road safety charity Brake in partnership with Direct Line and Green Flag.

The report, which surveyed 2,004 drivers, also found almost a third (29%) of drivers aged 18-24, and more than a quarter (26%) of those aged 35-44, do not always belt up in cars. That is in stark contrast to older drivers: just 4% of those aged 55 or above and 6% of those aged between 45 and 54 say they do not always belt up.

The proportion of car occupants killed who were not wearing a seat belt has remained consistently above 20% in the past six years. Studies show seat belts reduce both fatal and non-fatal injuries by 60% for front seat passengers, and by 44% for rear seat passengers.

Other findings from the report include:

• More than one in 10 (12%) car passengers admit they wouldn’t

• speak out if the driver was speeding – with those aged 45-52

• most likely to stay quiet (14%) and those aged 25-34 least likely

• to do so (8%).

• Male passengers are twice as likely as female passengers to not say

• anything if the driver was breaking the speed limit (16% versus 8%).

• A quarter (25%) of drivers said they have knowingly driven the

• morning after drinking, even though they may still be over the limit.

• Only two-thirds (66%) check the weather forecast before making a

• long journey.

• If it was snowing, more than one in 10 (13%) of drivers would still

• make a non-urgent trip.

• More than eight in 10 drivers (85%) check the pressure of their

• tyres less frequently than once a week.

The report was published to promote the Roadmap to Safe and Healthy Journeys project, an online resource that enables people to learn about, and commit to making, safe and healthy journey choices – including always wearing a seat belt.

Jason Wakeford, head of campaigns at Brake, said: “We all have a responsibility to follow safety rules and help others to be safe on roads. Brake is urging people to visit the roadmap for information and resources to help them stay safe, and to pledge to play their part in reducing deaths and serious injuries on our roads.” q