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| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Penalty call over backseat belts | Penalty call over backseat belts |
| (5 days later) | |
| Drivers should be given penalty points for not ensuring their backseat passengers are wearing seatbelts, a safety advisory body said. | Drivers should be given penalty points for not ensuring their backseat passengers are wearing seatbelts, a safety advisory body said. |
| The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety wants the offence to carry three penalty points and a heavier fine. | The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety wants the offence to carry three penalty points and a heavier fine. |
| It says this would significantly reduce the number of deaths on the roads. | It says this would significantly reduce the number of deaths on the roads. |
| But the Department of Transport says penalty points should be reserved for the most serious offences. | But the Department of Transport says penalty points should be reserved for the most serious offences. |
| The latest government figures show that around 30% of people over 14 do not belt up in the back of cars. | The latest government figures show that around 30% of people over 14 do not belt up in the back of cars. |
| This is compared to 95% of front seat passengers who do wear seatbelts. | This is compared to 95% of front seat passengers who do wear seatbelts. |
| Currently, the heaviest fine people over 14 face for not belting up is £30. | Currently, the heaviest fine people over 14 face for not belting up is £30. |
| 'Clear message' | 'Clear message' |
| Robert Gifford, who is executive director of Pacts, the body which advises parliament on transport safety, is calling for tougher penalties. | Robert Gifford, who is executive director of Pacts, the body which advises parliament on transport safety, is calling for tougher penalties. |
| "It would send a very clear message to drivers and to passengers that wearing your seatbelt is not a matter of comfort or discomfort, it's actually a matter of protecting your and other people's safety," he said. | "It would send a very clear message to drivers and to passengers that wearing your seatbelt is not a matter of comfort or discomfort, it's actually a matter of protecting your and other people's safety," he said. |
| However, the Department of Transport says it does not see the need for such a move. It believes educating drivers combined with the enforcement of current law is the best way forward. | However, the Department of Transport says it does not see the need for such a move. It believes educating drivers combined with the enforcement of current law is the best way forward. |