New analysis exhibits 5.9 million UK drivers frequently drive with out buckling up
Penalties could possibly be greater than only a tremendous (Picture: Kmatta through Getty Photographs)
With the Authorities placing ahead stricter punishments for motorists who neglect to put on seat belts, recent analysis from MoneySuperMarket has revealed that 5.9 million British drivers (14%) admit they routinely drive with out fastening their belts.
In response to figures from the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Security (PACTS), in 2023, 1 / 4 of auto occupants (25%) who perished in crashes in Nice Britain, the place seat belt standing was recorded, weren’t carrying one.
In response to this, Alicia Hempsted, automobile insurance coverage professional at MoneySuperMarket, is urging motorists that, except exempt or in particular conditions, driving with out carrying a seat belt is unlawful and will result in a tremendous of as much as £500 underneath present laws.
The recent survey by MoneySuperMarket found that, while 7.6 million motorists (18%) admitted they’ve pushed and not using a seat belt, simply over a 3rd (32%) of these have been fined prior to now 5 years for the sort of offence. Moreover, 14% (5.9 million) confirmed they frequently drive and not using a seat belt.
Motorists should all the time put on a seat belt, except medically exempt or reversing. If exempt, it’s essential to preserve your certificates of ‘exemption from obligatory seat belt carrying’ in your car always and replace your insurer.
Alicia stated: “Seat belts are one of many easiest and simplest methods to cut back harm and save lives on the highway, so it is regarding {that a} vital variety of UK drivers admit to not carrying them when behind the wheel. As a result of insurers use penalty factors as a measure of threat, the proposed modifications may depart drivers dealing with greater than only a tremendous. Factors on a licence might also push up premiums when it is time to renew.
“There are a restricted variety of exceptions to this regulation, akin to when reversing, those that are licensed taxi drivers of a non-public rent car in particular circumstances, sure supply drivers, and people who find themselves medically exempt. Do you have to be medically exempt, it’s essential to all the time preserve your certificates in your car, in addition to replace your insurer of your exemption. For many drivers although, the message is straightforward: carrying a seat belt is not nearly avoiding fines, it is about saving lives.”
UK Authorities’s proposed seat belt regulation change
In its session proposals, the Authorities defined: “It has been necessary since 1991 for drivers and passengers to put on a seat belt when travelling in any motorcar except medically exempt, or underneath specified circumstances, akin to a driver reversing their car or a taxi driver plying for rent. It’s also necessary for drivers to make sure that youngsters underneath the age of 14 of their car put on a seat belt or are secured with an acceptable baby seat or restraint.
“The sanction for failing to take action is a set penalty discover of £100 or, if the case goes to court docket, a most tremendous of £500. Failure to put on a seat belt isn’t at the moment an endorsable offence; meaning the offender doesn’t incur penalty factors. This part asks the general public’s view on whether or not drivers and passengers failing to put on a seat belt, and drivers who fail to make sure youngsters travelling within the car are suitably restrained, ought to obtain three penalty factors on their driving licence.”
It added: “We suggest that three penalty factors ought to apply to all drivers who fail to put on a seat belt or who fail to make sure that any baby within the car wears an acceptable baby restraint.”
Present seat belt laws
Current laws stipulate that “drivers should put on a seatbelt if one is fitted within the seat they’re utilizing, with just a few exceptions. You are additionally solely allowed one individual per seat fitted with a seatbelt”.
Moreover, “it’s essential to guarantee that any youngsters within the car you might be driving in are within the appropriate automobile seat for his or her top or weight till they attain 135 centimetres tall or their twelfth birthday, whichever is first. And guarantee they’re carrying a seatbelt in the event that they’re 12 or 13 years outdated, or youthful and over 135cm tall”.
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Methodology
MoneySuperMarket carried out a ballot by Censuswide, questioning 1,000 UK motorists aged 17 and over who maintain a full driving licence. The analysis passed off between January 20, 2026 and January 23, 2026. DVLA figures reveal that 42,120,966 people at the moment maintain a full UK driving licence.
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