JayEvery fourth person in the UK is not wearing a seat belt. Men and youth in particular were not wearing seat belts, the Ministry of Transport in London announced on Thursday.
The authority evaluated the data of traffic victims from the year 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 don’t want to bow down.”
According to ministry data, 24 per cent 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 one in six women (16 percent) who died were wearing a seat belt. The rate of people not wearing seat belts in accidents between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. was significantly higher: 39 percent did not fasten their seat belts.
Too Many Young People Without Seatbelts
At other times, 17 percent of the victims were traveling without seat belts. The rate was highest among youth aged 17 to 29: 32 percent of victims were not wearing their seat belts.
“Young people who don’t wear seat belts at night are at greatest risk,” said AA President Edmund King. “They may feel invincible and calm when in the back seat unbuckled, but even a small bump can propel them forward at the speed of a small elephant.” In the UK drivers who do not wear a seat belt are fined £500 (€598).
