Minister welcomes seatbelt survey findings
Thursday, 9 July 2009The findings of the observational Northern Ireland Seat Belt Survey 2009, published today, show that drivers and passengers continue to heed the seatbelt wearing message.
The overall observed seatbelt wearing rate has increased from 95% in 2008 to 96% in 2009. This figure for drivers represents the highest rate recorded since the current series of Northern Ireland Seat Belt Surveys began in 1994. There was a 1% increase in driver wearing rates and a 2% increase in back seat passengers wearing rates.
Environment Minister Edwin Poots said “I am encouraged to read the latest findings on seatbelt wearing rates, which show an overall increase in the number of people using a seatbelt.
“The wearing rates for child back seat passengers have increased from 93% in 2007 to 96% in 2009. This is a welcome indication that initiatives my Department has put in place during the last three years continue to have a positive impact.”
During this time there has been a major drive to further improve seat belt wearing rates, particularly amongst children and young adults. The seat belt advertising campaigns and the introduction of tougher new penalties for not wearing seat belts have played vital roles in bringing about the positive changes revealed today.
Whilst welcoming the survey findings Mr Poots warned against complacency. He said: “It should be noted that around 5% of children aged 1-13 years old are still travelling unrestrained in the car. I would urge parents to take responsibility for ensuring their children are safely secured while travelling – no matter how short the journey. This simple action will massively increase a child’s chance of survival in a collision. There is absolutely no excuse for not doing so.”
The Minister concluded: “Some drivers and passengers still choose not to wear a seatbelt, or wear it incorrectly, and are killed or seriously injured because of it. So my message today and every day is clear - NO SEATBELT, NO EXCUSE.”
It is estimated that approximately 10 lives would be saved each year and 90 serious injuries prevented if a 100% wearing rate was achieved.
Welcoming the findings of the latest survey, Superintendent Roy Marshall, Head of Road Policing Development Unit, said: “Too many people are killed and seriously injured in preventable collisions on Northern Ireland’s roads each year.
“By not wearing an appropriate seatbelt you are risking your life and the lives of the other people travelling with you. Too many officers have first hand experience of arriving at horrific collision scenes where drivers and passengers have either been thrown from a vehicle, or caused significant injuries to others by selfishly failing to wear a seatbelt.
“Wearing seatbelts undoubtedly saves lives and prevents terrible suffering. For young passengers and children in particular, the appropriate child seats, booster seats, restraints and seatbelts all help to minimise serious injury and increase the chance of surviving a collision.
“Police will continue to enforce seatbelt wearing laws to help achieve even higher wearing rates in the future and make our roads safer for everyone.
“All road users must accept their responsibility in preventing deaths and injuries on our roads. If you speed, take drink or drugs and drive, fail to wear your seatbelt, drive carelessly or dangerously, you run the real risk of killing or seriously injuring yourself, your passengers or some other innocent road user.”
Notes to Editors:
1. The cross-border seatbelt campaign was launched in Belfast on 3 October 2006.
2. The latest seatbelt campaign was launched in May 2009 and provides the perspective of an emergency medicine consultant relaying the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt and describing the horror of what can happen when a seatbelt is worn incorrectly. He also highlights the danger to children if they are not wearing correct child restraints.
3. Percentage of car occupants wearing seat belts is as follows:
· 2007 – Overall Wearing Rate 95%, Driver 95%, Front seat 95%,
Back seat 90% of which under 1 year 98%, 1-4 years 96%, 5-9 years 90%, 10-13 years 92%.
· 2008 – Overall Wearing Rate 95%, Driver 96%, Front seat 95%,
Back seat 91% of which under 1 year 99%, 1-4 years 96%, 5-9 years 94%, 10-13 years 93%.
· 2009 – Overall Wearing Rate 96%, Driver 97%, Front seat 96%,
Back seat 93% of which under 1 year 98%, 1-4 years 95%, 5-9 years 95%, 10-13 years 96%.
4. New seatbelt offences and penalties came into force on 27 June 2007. An information leaflet giving details of these measures is available on the DOE website
5. The laws and maximum fines include:
· Failing to use seatbelts: three penalty points for driving without a seatbelt or for drivers carrying a child unbelted. Fine on conviction for carrying child unbelted in the back is a maximum £500.
· Children under three years MUST use an appropriate child restraint in any vehicle - the only exception being when travelling in the rear seat of a licensed taxi.
· In vehicles where seat belts are fitted, children from three years and up to 135cms in height or 12 years of age, MUST use the appropriate child restraint. The only exceptions are in respect of taxis, unexpected short journeys and where two fitted child restraints prevent the fitting of a third.
6. Log on to The Northern Ireland Seatbelt Bulletin 2009
7. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office 028 9054 0014 or out of office hours, contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
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