Company drivers fail to obey the seatbelt law

Welcoming the news that twenty five years of seatbelt wearing laws have helped save 60,000 lives, RoadSafe reminds all drivers and employers that they have a duty to ensure that belts are worn by all who travel in cars.

According to Government statistics seatbelts have prevented an estimated 60,000 deaths and 670,000 serious injuries since 31 January 1983 when seatbelts were made mandatory for drivers and front seat passengers. Research shows 9 out of 10 people agree it is dangerous to travel in the back of a car without a seatbelt but only 7 in 10 adults actually wear belts when sitting in the back.

However further research has shown that four groups have low belt wearing rates – young men, rear seat passengers, company drivers and goods vehicle drivers.

The business case for adopting good practice is also very clear. Some fourteen thousand road deaths and serious injuries occur involving vehicles driven on company business and this is a significant financial burden for businesses. The RoadSafe led Driving for Better Business programme works with business leaders to promote better practice.

Adrian Walsh the programme director said: ‘The high incidence of company drivers who fail to belt up indicates a lax attitude – it is the clear responsibility of management to change this for the better’