drivers who select not to wear a seatbelt might be hit with three points on their licence. MPs want to boost the deterrent from the present £100 fine as data shows that almost a third of those killed in vehicles were not using a seatbelt.
It is 40 years since a modification in the legislation was made to mandate the utilize of seatbelts in cars, a rule that was put into force two years later for front-seat occupants, as well as in 1991 for those in the rear.
Car seatbelt offences increase 17% in a year
But with 25 per cent of road deaths including a vehicle occupant not using a belt in 2016, rising to 30 per cent in 2018, members of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for transfer security (PACTS) are stated to be recommending more stringent punishments for those not belting up than the present £100 fine, which can likewise be just a £53 understanding program instead. The suggested points might likewise be provided to the driver if one of the occupants is unbelted.
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David Davies, executive director of PACTS, told the Times: “Seatbelts are a fantastic success story however the task is not yet done. The £100 fine does not emphasise to drivers the seriousness of the risk.”
The reasons for drivers not using seatbelts will vary from person to person, with some decrying infringement of civil liberties, as well as others stated to be overconfident about being unbelted thanks to the sense of security SUVs bring.
But whatever the reasons, in addition to running the risk of their own death as well as the trauma of anyone else included in a accident that might potentially be fatal because of a lack of seatbelt use, there is likewise an economic expense MPs may consider, with each fatal road casualty costing the economic climate £2m.
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