No seat belt reminders in 46% of new vehicles

ALMOST half of all new vehicles on Irish roads are not equipped with potentially life-saving seat belt reminders, according to a study to be published today.

Only 54% of cars, vans and lorries sold here last year contained the device, which road safety experts say can drastically increase seat belt wearing rates.

It ranks Ireland as 17th out of 25 European countries in the use of seat belt reminders in vehicles.

The results are contained in a new study to be published by the European Transport Safety Council in Brussels today and come as Transport Minister, Martin Cullen is coming under increasing pressure to introduce radical measures to tackle the high rate of fatal accidents involving young drivers on Irish roads.

Mr Cullen is to examine a set of recommendations from the Road Safety Authority on reform of the driver licensing system this week. While the RSA has declined to comment on its proposals in detail, a spokesperson said one of its aims was to cut the backlog of 430,000 people waiting for a driving test to a point where average waiting times would be 6-8 weeks.

The ETSC study highlights again how Ireland is lagging behind many other EU countries in terms of implementing best practice in road safety terms.

Audio and visual signals that remind drivers and passengers that they are not wearing seat belts are seen as one the most simple and cost-effective measures to reduce road fatalities. Studies show that seat belt reminders can get up to 99% of drivers to belt up.

In Ireland, 86% of drivers and front seat passengers wear their seat belt, while just 46% of rear seat passengers buckle up, although all occupants are legally obliged to wear seat belts.

The ETSC said the survey’s findings highlighted the need for EU legislation on the issue, despite recent improvements made by car manufacturers.

“We need EU legislation mandating seat belt reminders in all new cars,” said ETSC spokesperson, Jörg Beckmann.

He also pointed out that most older vehicles contain no audio or visual seat belt reminder, while the EU average for all new cars is just 56%.

International research has shown that the wearing of a seat belt can reduce the risk of dying in a car crash by up to 60%. Safety features like airbags also work best if vehicle occupants are restrained by their seat belts.

Meanwhile, the Road Safety Authority yesterday issued an invitation to members of the public to submit their ideas for improving safety on Irish roads.

The RSA has taken over responsibility for the development of a new Road Safety Strategy, running from 2007 to 2011, from the Department of Transport.

RSA chief executive, Noel Brett, said he wanted the public to have their say in shaping road safety policy in Ireland. Closing date for submissions is November 27.