A Quarter Of Drivers Don’t Wear their Seatbelt
One in four motorists have driven their car without wearing a seatbelt, a study found.
Research revealed a large percentage of drivers flout the law by refusing to buckle up, usually to drive short distances to local shops or around areas where they live.
Moving their car from the road to the driveway, or parking in a car park are also occasions when drivers either choose to ignore the law, or forget to wear their seatbelt.
David Carter of Accident Advice Helpline, which carried out the study, said “Seatbelts are a lifesaving addition to your car and it’s worrying how many people have driven without wearing one.
“It takes just a few seconds to do up your seatbelt but it could save your life if you happen to be involved in an accident on the road”.
It also emerged plenty of drivers are unaware of the situations in which you legally have to wear a seatbelt.
One third believe you don’t have to wear a seatbelt in a minibus, which is untrue. Eamonn Turley founder of Multiquotetime a UK comparative website for minibus insurance commented, “that not only must the driver wear a seatbelt, but all occupants of a minibus must also wear a seatbelt if one is fitted.
And four out of ten (44 per cent) believe pregnant women don’t have to wear a seatbelt, which is again not true – unless your doctor has specifically issued a certificate of exemption.
With a child under the age of 14 it is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to ensure the youngster wears a seatbelt, resulting in a fine for the adult if the child doesn’t wear one.
Nine out of 10 people were unclear on this with 28 per cent believing the age was under 14 and 64 per cent believing it was older.
It also emerged most people (82 per cent) are willing to speak out if one of their passengers isn’t a seatbelt
People were however less likely to ask a driver to buckle up, with seven out of 10 saying they would always ask the driver to wear a seatbelt.
Another 14 per cent said it would depend upon the length of the journey and 10 per cent of wouldn’t say anything as it would be’ awkward’.
Take a look at these results visualised in an infographic here: https://www.accidentadvicehelpline.co.uk/blog/drive-without-wearing-seatbelt/
ENDS