Motorists show 'concerning' fall in use of seat belts

The Road Safety Authority study found that 4% fewer drivers wore a seat belt in September and October of last year when compared to 2022.

The use of seat belts among drivers and front-seat passengers fell in Ireland last year, new figures have shown, in a move described as “concerning”, “selfish” and a “very real risk” to lives on our roads.

It comes as analysis of road crashes in Ireland shows that 22% of car users killed between 2019 and 2023 were not wearing a seat belt at the time of the collision.

The Road Safety Authority on Monday published a study on seat belt use conducted in September and October of last year, using a nationally representative sample from every county.

It found that seat belt-wearing rates by drivers fell by 4% from 99% to 95% when compared to 2022, along with a 5% decrease from 99% to 94% for front-seat passengers.

While the compliance rate went up for rear-seat passengers from 93% to 95%, this was lower for those travelling on rural roads at 92%, the RSA said.

Separately, Irish results from a European-wide survey on road users’ attitudes has found concerning data on seat belt wearing, according to the road safety watchdog.

In Ireland, it found that one in 10 people reported driving without wearing a seat belt at least once in the last 30 days while 18% reported travelling without wearing a seat belt in the back seat.

All of this comes against the backdrop of worrying trends for road deaths in Ireland. As of Monday morning, 86 people had lost their lives on Irish roads so far this year. This is an increase of nine on the same time last year, which was itself a year that saw a huge surge in road deaths.

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As well as the data on fatalities among those who had not been wearing a seat belt, the RSA added that 7% of car users who were seriously injured between 2019 and 2023 were not wearing one at the time of the crash.

Minister of State with responsibility for road safety, Jack Chambers, said: “I am really concerned to see the decline in seat belt use.

“It is a very real risk and potential killer behaviour which increases the likelihood of a driver or passenger being killed or seriously injured. Drivers need to take responsibility for themselves and their passengers. Seat belts save lives, and choosing not to wear one is not only dangerous, but selfish too.” 

The RSA added it is launching a new advertising campaign encouraging drivers to ask their passengers to wear a seat belt, which will be aired on TV, radio and social media for the next month.

Chief executive Sam Waide said: “It is alarming to see this decline in usage [of seat belts]. It is a huge risk to not wear one, whether your journey is short or long, or requires multiple stops.”