Seat belts are compulsory in Great Britain. But not everyone seems to be sticking to it. This can have fatal consequences in the event of an accident.
LONDON – One in four accident deaths in Great Britain was not wearing a seat belt. Men and young people in particular did not wear a seat belt, as the Ministry of Transport in London announced on Thursday.
The authority evaluated data on traffic victims from the years 2016 to 2020. “This powerful statistic uniquely underscores why seat belts are a legal requirement,” said Simon Williams of car service provider RAC. “That’s why it’s worrying that so many people choose not to buckle up.”
According to figures from the ministry, 24 percent of those killed in accidents were not wearing seat belts. A good quarter (28 percent) of the male victims were not wearing a seat belt, but only about one in six women killed (16 percent). Among people who died in accidents between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m., the rate of not wearing seat belts was significantly higher: 39 percent had not fastened their seat belts.
Lots of young people without seatbelts
At other times, 17 percent of victims were traveling without a seat belt. The rate was highest among young people aged 17 to 29: 32 percent of the victims were not wearing their seat belts.
“Young people who don’t wear seatbelts at night appear to be at greatest risk,” said AA President Edmund King. “They may feel invincible and cool when they’re unbuckled in the back seat, but even a tiny collision can propel them forward at the speed of a small elephant.” Unbelted drivers face a £500 fine in the UK ). dpa
