The Institute of Advanced Motorists is warning that despite 50 years of seat belt laws, far too many drivers and passengers are still putting themselves and others in great danger by not wearing seat belts.
The first seat belt law came into force in January 1965, which saw all new cars in the UK required to have seat belt anchorage points on the outer front seats – and paved the way for far-reaching compulsory seat belt wearing laws in the decades after.
Statistics from the Department of Transport show that of the 232 car occupants killed in 2013, 45 were not wearing a seat belt – a shocking 19%, or nearly one-fifth.
Kevin Delaney, IAM head of road safety, said, “The biggest problem is complacency.
“Quite simply people feel it will never happen to them. They think if they are driving locally and at a low speed they will be OK. Statistics show that many accidents not only take place at low speeds but also within a few miles of home – so people are mistaken if they think that makes them safer.”
In 1965 all new cars were required to have seat belt anchorage points for the front outer seats.
In 1967 the law was changed so all new cars were required to have seat belts fitted. In 1968, seat belts were required to be retro-fitted to all cars sold from 1965.
The biggest development in seat belt development came in 1983 when it became compulsory for front seat occupants to wear one. Tomorrow marks the 32nd anniversary of the passing of the front seat belt law in the UK.
In 1989 it became compulsory for all children under 14 to wear a seat belt in the rear, and finally in 1991 it was required that all rear seat occupants wear a seat belt.
After the 1983 law was passed, there was an immediate 25% reduction in driver fatalities and a 29% reduction in fatal injuries among front seat passengers.
