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British motorists are risking their lives by not wearing seatbelts

  • 19 per cent of British motorists admit to not wearing a seatbelt*
  • 29 per cent of accidents occur within one mile of home*
  • Risk to pregnant women and children highlighted


Research revealed today by Direct Line has found that 19 per cent of British motorists admit to driving without wearing a seatbelt.* The Direct Line Road Safety Report reveals that 29 per cent of accidents occur within one mile of home, yet an alarming number of British motorists say they do not wear a seatbelt because they believe they are unlikely to be involved in an accident during short journeys.*

Parents are not only putting their own wellbeing at risk, but also that of their children. Direct Line’s research has found that 20 per cent of motorists who say their child should use a child safety seat admit to letting them travel without one.*

Once again, motorists are making the mistake of assuming short journeys are safe journeys with parents twice as likely to drive with their child unrestrained for journeys under a mile than for longer trips.*

Astonishingly, two per cent of people who don’t wear seatbelts use pregnancy as an excuse, representing more than 125,000 mothers.** Often pregnant women complain that seatbelts ride up over their baby bump causing discomfort.

The top five excuses people use for not wearing a seatbelt are;*

  • I just forget (38 per cent)
  • I put my seatbelt on after I start driving (32 per cent)
  • I do not think I am likely to be involved in an accident when driving short distances (12 per cent)
  • I make a lot of stop-start trips/I regularly have to get out of the vehicle (11 per cent)
  • I can’t be bothered (8 per cent)


While significant progress has been made in recent years to educate drivers on road safety issues, this attitude towards driving short distances without a seatbelt helps explain why in 2006, 34 per cent of people killed in cars were not wearing seat belts. This equates to more than 500 people.***

Maggie Game, Head of Car Insurance for Direct Line, says:
“As Britain’s largest motor insurer, we see the tragic consequences of not wearing a seatbelt. Each year we handle heart-rending claims from customers who have been seriously injured because they were not properly restrained.”

“Research shows that if every British motorist wore a seatbelt, a life would be saved everyday.”****

“For pregnant women, wearing a seatbelt can be uncomfortable. Mothers-to-be should look at buying special maternity belts which keep the belt comfortably below their baby bump. These belts are widely available at maternity shops and are good value for money given the peace of mind they offer.”

“Taking a few seconds to put your seatbelt on can significantly reduce the likelihood of being seriously injured or killed in a car crash. Motorists believe that they are unlikely to be involved in an accident during short journeys, yet our research shows 29 per cent of accidents occur within a mile of home.”*

A spokesperson for Brake, the road safety charity which works with people who are bereaved or affected by serious injury in road crashes has highlighted her alarm at the results of this study.

Katie Shephard, spokesperson for Brake says;
“Many lives could be saved if everybody belted up and ensured their passengers were belted up too. Many young drivers and child passengers fail to belt up and it’s essential adults check on their young passengers."

“As well as buckling-up, It’s also incredibly important to correctly adjust head restraints. Make sure they are high enough and close enough to your head to prevent whiplash.”

Since the introduction of seatbelt laws in 1983, it is estimated that 50,000 British lives have been saved.*****

As well as the emotional damage caused to the family and friends of those affected by road accidents, each road fatality costs society around £1.2 million pounds and serious accidents £140,000.******

You can find more information on Direct Line’s car insurance or tips on road safety by visiting the Tips and Advice section of our website.

For further information please contact:
Jake Hatton
Direct Line Press Office
020 8313 5965
07920 467860
Email: jake.hatton@rbs.co.uk

Notes to editors
* Research conducted online on behalf of Direct Line by Opinium Research LLP on 7th October 2008 with 2,063 respondents.

**Based on 33.7 million motorists. This figure is publicly available on the DFT website: http://think.dft.gov.uk/think/focusareas/invehiclesafety/seatbelts?whoareyou_id=&page=Overview

*** Think! Road Safety

**** Department for Transport

***** The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents

****** Highways Economics Note No.1, 2002 Valuation of the Benefits of Prevention of Road Accidents and Casualties, Department for Transport (2003)

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides car, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line is part of RBS Insurance, the second largest general insurer in the UK and is wholly owned by the Royal Bank of Scotland Group. Customers can find out more about Direct Line products or get a quote by calling 0845 246 3761 or visiting www.directline.com

Direct Line Insurance plc is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority. Registered office: 3 Edridge Road, Croydon, Surrey CR9 1AG. Registered in England and Wales no. 01810801. The Financial Services Authority's Register can be accessed through http://www.fsa.gov.uk/register/