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Over a fifth (22 per cent) of UK motorists admit to still failing to buckle up2 for all or part of their journeys over 27 years since it became compulsory, according to research released today by esure car insurance3.

The findings - which indicate the risks being run by millions of people each day comes after The Queen was photographed also driving without a seatbelt. They show that one in six (15 per cent) motorists admit they have often not worn a seatbelt for short trips - even though two thirds of road accidents occur within five miles of the family home4.

According to the study, a worrying five per cent of British motorists have driven entire journeys without buckling up while 12 per cent admit that they often forget to put their seatbelt on until they reach a junction.

Mike Pickard, Head of Risk and Underwriting at esure car insurance, said: "A seatbelt can be the last line of defence for motorists in a serious crash and this research shows that far too many people are still taking unnecessary risks. Whether it is 100metres or 100miles away from home, accidents by definition will happen when you least expect.

"The fact that motorists are putting their lives at risk by failing to buckle-up at all times is simply staggering, but also illegal. We urge motorists to make sure they always wear their seatbelts."

The survey also showed that over a fifth (21 per cent) of motorists do not wear a seatbelt when they are a passenger in a vehicle and one in ten (10 per cent) have to be prompted to put their seatbelt on by the driver.

Proving that we do not know our belts from our buckles, five per cent of motorists polled are still unsure about seatbelt regulations5 and almost a third (29 per cent) said that did not know how much they would be fined if caught without one. One in ten (10 per cent) stated that they did not know who was liable if they were caught driving with passengers not wearing seatbelts.

Motorists driving in a company car or van were revealed to be the worst offenders with three in five (61 per cent) confessing to seatbelt offences. Almost a third (30 per cent) said that they take their seatbelt off whilst driving compared with just one in ten (11 per cent) who drive their own vehicle. The study found that motorists aged 18 to 34 were the most likely to contravene the seatbelt rules with half (49 per cent) admitting to an offence in the last five years. By contrast, two thirds (67 per cent) of motorists over the age of 65 said they hadn’t committed any seatbelt offences in the same period.

Gender divide
Women were the most likely to strap themselves in while driving, according to the research. 85 per cent always wear a seatbelt, compared to just 73 per cent of men. A fifth (20 per cent) of men say they forget their seatbelt for short journeys, whereas just one in ten (11 per cent) of women make the same mistake.

Twice as many men (16 per cent) as women (eight per cent) forget to put their seatbelt on until they stop at a junction or at some point into their journey. 14 per cent of men polled said that they have to be prompted by the driver to put their seatbelt on when they are a passenger compared to just six per cent of women.

Regional differences
Scottish motorists were revealed as the most law abiding as only 29 per cent confessed to a seatbelt offence.

Londoners are the most likely to park their cars without their seatbelts on with a quarter (25 per cent) owning up to removing their belt whilst manoeuvring their car into a parking space.

-ends-

esure's press contacts:

For further information please contact the esure press office at Mischief PR on 020 7100 9999 or email esure@mischiefpr.com

Notes to editors:

  1. 7,374,863 is an estimation based on 22 per cent of the total UK motoring population based on DfT Transport Statistics - 33,522,106 motor vehicles currently licensed 2006. This is a projected figure based on the 1,372 motorists surveyed
  2. In the past five years
  3. esure used the independent online research company Opinium who surveyed 1,372 British men and women from across the country between 15th and 17th June. Opinium is an online market research company. Its researches are members of the MRS, PRCA, BPC and Esomar, and abide by their guidelines. Further information is available at www.opinium.co.uk.
  4. Which: Most car crashes happen near home
  5. Directgov: Wearing a seat belt and exceptions