Drivers not belting up could face penalty points in the future under new government plans.

In 2021, in 30% of all car occupant fatalities recorded, seatbelts were not worn

The Department for Transport has said it’s looking to take action to address the issue, including potential legislative changes, amid concerns over rising casualty figures.

DfT data for 2021 reveals seat belts were not worn for 30% of all car occupant fatalities recorded – “unacceptably high”, according to the Government.

Currently, drivers in England, Scotland or Wales can be fined from £100 to £500 if they don’t wear a seat belt when supposed to, although they can opt for a £53 awareness course instead.

But the offence has long been endorsable in Northern Ireland, where drivers who fail to ensure a child in a front or rear seat is not wearing a seatbelt also face points on their licence. Data shows the penalty points system has contributed to an increase in wearing rates and that Northern Ireland has the best record of any UK nation on seatbelt usage.

In its road safety plans published in July 2019, the Government said it would explore issuing penalty points for those not wearing seatbelts in cars – as well as the current fine levels – as it would be the most obvious and direct way of saving lives in road crashes.

And the DfT has now indicated that it could be taking long overdue action.

Responding to a UK parliamentary question tabled last week by Huddersfield Labour MP Barry Sheerman, Katherine Fletcher MP, the former parliamentary under-secretary of state in the DfT, said: “The Department for Transport knows that in 2021, in 30% of all car occupant fatalities recorded, seatbelts were not worn. This is unacceptably high, and we have been considering options to tackle this including the potential merits of introducing penalty points. This might form part of the Department for Transport’s planned call for evidence on motoring offences.”

The issue is even more paramount for younger drivers.

Earlier this year, a poll by Brake, in partnership with Direct Line and Green Flag, found almost two in five (38%) of 25-34 year-old drivers admitted they do not always wear a seatbelt when on the road.

Figures cited by GEM – which has long been calling for penalties – indicate that seatbelts reduce the risk of death by 45% for drivers and front seat occupants. They also lower the risk of serious injury by 50%.

The RAC said putting points on the licences of offenders would be a welcome move, but added that this must be accompanied by better enforcement.

Road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “While up until this point offenders had to be caught not wearing a seatbelt by a police officer, there is now camera technology on trial in the UK that can be make the process far simpler and more effective. If this technology were to be rolled out alongside introducing points on licences, lives would undoubtedly be saved.”

The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety has previously said failure to wear a seatbelt is a major but overlooked contributor to the deaths of drivers and passengers – particularly young people – and added that concerted action is needed and feasible.

PACTS said the current £100 fine does not emphasise to drivers the seriousness of the risk of not using a seatbelt and making it an endorsable offence with three penalty points or more would be a catalyst for many drivers.

Research published by Direct Line in 2020 found overwhelmingly support from the public for the introduction of penalty points on drivers not belting up; more than seven in ten (72%) backing a change to the law according to its survey.