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Secondary school pupils avoiding seatbelts

Thursday, 10 July 2008

FIGURES released by the Road Safety Authority (RSA) in their Survey of Seatbelt Wearing on Irish roads have revealed that secondary school students are the only group where wearing rates have decreased.
However, seatbelt wearing rates for primary school children demonstrate a consistent increase with seven out of 10 now belting up in the rear of the car and eight out of 10 in the front of the car.
The survey highlights that seatbelt wearing rates for secondary school students have decreased significantly with just 63 per cent of students wearing seatbelts in the rear of the car.
This represents a 14 per cent reduction in wearing levels on 2006 results.
Similarly, front seatbelt wearing rates for secondary school students have also decreased by 10 per cent on 2006 figures to 78 per cent in 2007.
For primary school children, wearing rates have shown a consistent increase. Results show that rear seatbelt wearing for primary schoolchildren has increased by 6 per cent from 64 per cent in 2006 to 70 per cent in 2007.
Front seatbelt wearing has also increased with eight out of 10 schoolkids (80 per cent) now belting up in the front seat, an increase of 13 per cent on 2006 figures.
The survey also highlights a positive trend in seatbelt wearing rates across the country, with nine out of 10 drivers (88 per cent) now belting up when they get into the car.
This represents an increase of two per cent on 2006 figures, and a 35 per cent increase since 1999. Results show that female drivers are more likely than males to wear their seatbelt with wearing rates of 93 per cent and 86 per cent respectively in 2007.
Noel Brett, Chief Executive of the Road Safety Authority, said wearing a seatbelt has been the biggest contributor to reducing injuries in collisions.
“But every day, people continue to travel in cars unrestrained,” he added.
“The survey demonstrates a very positive trend in seatbelt wearing rates but there are still parents out there who are allowing their children to travel unrestrained in the car.
“You have a choice here – make your kids put their seatbelt on when they get into the car or run the risk of them being seriously injured or killed. We are all aware of the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt so every time you get into the car, make sure you and the other occupants are wearing seatbelts.”
The Survey of Seatbelt Wearing of seatbelt wearing on Irish roads was conducted in the summer of 2007 by the Road Safety Authority.
Data was recorded from drivers, both male and female, for front and rear passengers excluding children. Separate surveys for primary school and secondary school children in the front of rear seat were also conducted.

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