29/06/2005

NI seat belt wearing rates on the increase

Figures released on Wednesday have revealed that he number of people wearing seat belts in Northern Ireland has increased over the past year.

The survey, commissioned by the DoE, revealed that 93% of drivers were recorded as wearing a seat belt while the figures for front seat passengers was 92%. The wearing rate for back seat passengers, meanwhile, rose by four percentage points over the period to 81%.

DoE Road Safety spokesperson Harry Green said: "The Department is very encouraged by these results which show further increases in the number of drivers and passengers who are taking personal responsibility for their own safety.

"Whilst this latest survey highlights that the overall seat belt wearing rate for children has increased, around 1 in 5 children aged between 5 and 13 still travel unrestrained in the back of a car. If you are driving and this happens you are the one breaking the law. The law requires you, the driver, to make sure that all passengers under the age of 14 are belted up.”

In total 16,642 cars were observed and details of 25,203 occupants recorded. Survey data were collected at 15 sites throughout Northern Ireland. Of these 15 sites, six were located on rural roads, six on urban roads and three on motorways.

(MB/SP)

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