Drivers warned that tough new punishment is being considered for not wearing a seatbelt
DRIVERS are being warned that harsher punishments for people found not wearing a seatbelt are being considered.
The Department for Transport revealed it was assessing the move that would change the £100 fixed penalty currently in place.
The DfT says it is considering the ‘potential merits of introducing penalty points’ as shocking road death stats are revealed.
Almost a third of drivers killed in road collisions in 2021 were not wearing a seatbelt.
These figures are the highest ever recorded and have prompted the government to take action.
Katherine Fletcher, Conservative MP and former parliamentary under-secretary of state for the Department for Transport responded to questions on the subject in the Commons on 27th October.
Most read in Motors
She said: “The Department for Transport knows that in 2021, in 30% of all car occupant fatalities recorded, seat belts 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.”
RAC road safety spokesman Simon Williams said: “It’s irrefutable that seatbelts save lives, yet the sad reality is that in 30% of fatal collisions a seatbelt was not being worn.
READ MORE ON ROAD LAWS
“These stark figures underline just how important it is to buckle up in both the front and the rear of the car.
“Putting points on the licences of offenders would be a welcome move, but this must be accompanied by better enforcement.
“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.”