Less than half belt-up in the back

Less than half of school children wore seat-belts in back seats last year, despite the introduction of penalty points for the offence, a study carried out by the National Roads Authority has revealed.

The survey also found that less than half of adults wore belts in the back but showed increasing compliance among drivers, with 85 per cent belting up in 2003 compared to 71 per cent in 2002, 55 per cent in 1999, and only 52 per cent in 1991.

The NRA's Free Speeds and Seatbelt Wearing Rates, 2003, to be published today, also reports that drivers in urban residential areas complied almost twice as much with 30 mph limits in 2003, the first full year of points for speeding. A majority of truck drivers, however, were breaking the limit on motorways last year.

Male drivers have made the biggest strides in seat-belt compliance, with a jump from 66 to 82 per cent between 2002 and last year. Some 90 per cent of female drivers now use their belts, up 10 per cent on 2002.

When front passengers are included in the overall figures, 84 per cent were wearing belts, up 12 per cent on 2002.

The NRA says the survey was being carried out at the time points were extended to include belt offences on August 25th, 2003. "The impact of this and related publicity" is thought to have had a substantial effect on seat-belt wearing, the NRA says.

A low rate of back-seat belt wearing remains a problem as does the use of belts by children. Only 68 per cent of primary pupils in front seats wore belts, while only 48 per cent wore them in the back. Among secondary students, 62 per cent wore belts in the front while 44 per cent wore them in the back.

On speeding, the survey found drivers in urban residential 30 mph zones more compliant in 2003. The report shows that 36 per cent of drivers broke the limit in these areas in 2003, compared to 61 per cent in 2002. The average "free speed" in a 30 mph urban residential zone was 28 mph, compared to 33 mph in 2002 - free speed is defined as the speed a motorist chooses without constraint by sharp bends, bad weather or traffic.

On urban arterial routes, 86 per cent of cars broke 30 mph limits, compared to 99 per cent in 2002. In 40 mph urban arterial routes 75 per cent broke the limit compared to 82 per cent in 2002.

On urban national roads, 98 per cent of cars were recorded breaking the 30 mph limit, an increase of 1 per cent.

In rural areas 23 per cent of car drivers on motorways broke the 70 mph limit, a drop of 1 per cent. On dual carriageways, 29 per cent broke the 60 mph limit, compared to 43 per cent in 2002. Some 30 per cent broke the limit on two-lane national primary routes, down from 44 per cent, while 14 per cent of car drivers exceeded the limit on national secondary routes, a drop of two points. On regional roads 8 per cent of cars broke the limit compared to 10 per cent in 2002.

Truckers were reported to be largely breaking 50 mph limit set down specifically for them. Some 85 per cent of articulated trucks and 83 per cent of rigid trucks broke the limit on motorways, representing an increase of 3 per cent and 1 per cent respectively.