Drivers think UK seat-belt laws are too soft

It's now been 40 years since seat belt usage became mandatory in the UK on 31st January 1983, but survey data reveals drivers believe the law is too soft.

Out of a poll of 1,800 people, 68 per cent of whom agreed with motoring organisations that it should be the legal responsibility of the driver to ensure all occupants of their vehicle are wearing a seat belt. Currently, the driver is only responsible for themself and any children in the car.

In addition, 33 per cent of respondents believe that drivers should be penalised if any passengers in their car are caught without a seat belt on. At present, drivers can be fined £500 for failing to buckle up, but 24 per cent of those surveyed said that's too lenient, with two-thirds of them arguing that penalty points should also be given out.

Four per cent of respondents admitted to having driven without a seat belt in the last 12 months, while seven per cent had not worn one as a passenger. This is in spite of there being very few legal reasons for not wearing a seat belt, including certain medical exemptions and when reversing.

Around half of those surveyed said there should be seat belt awareness courses, while 36 per cent called for greater police presence or camera usage to catch offenders. National Highways recently conducted a trial of such cameras, which detected hundreds of drivers either not buckled up or using a mobile phone.