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Road safety and breakdown organisation GEM Motoring Assist is calling on the UK Government to increase the penalty for drivers and passengers who do not wear a seatbelt.
GEM is urging the government to bring seatbelt offences in line with those for mobile phone offences, which were increased earlier this year to a fine of £200 with six penalty points.
Currently, if the driver or any underage passenger is caught not wearing a seatbelt, the penalty for the driver is three points and a £100 fine, up to a maximum of £500.
GEM road safety officer Neil Worth commented: "The government was made aware nearly a decade ago that seatbelt rates among drivers killed in crashes were just 65%, compared with 94% for the wider driving population. Now that road death numbers in the UK are at their highest for five years, it's time ministers sent a clear message that the government is serious about reducing casualties."
All cars manufactured since 1973 should be fitted with front and rear seatbelts. According to GEM, seatbelts reduce the risk of death by 45% for drivers and front seat occupants. They also reduce the risk of serious injury by 50%.
"We have seen mobile phone penalties for drivers rise in recent years, and if seatbelt offences were dealt with in a similar way, we believe would see a significant and immediate reduction in the number of drivers and vehicle occupants killed and seriously injured on our roads," said Worth.
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