It’s a key part of any journey whenever you get in a car – clicking in your safety belt. However, despite belts being made mandatory way back in 1983, new research by the AA Charitable Trust reveals that young drivers and passengers are increasingly ignoring the law.

The Trust’s analysis shows that in 2023, 36% of young passengers and 32% of drivers (aged between 17-29) who were killed in car crashes weren’t wearing their belts – even though the latter’s age group only makes up roughly 14% of people with driving licences.

Risk factors

The vast majority of young people who die while not wearing a belt are male (95%) with time also playing a major factor. Young car driver deaths were more likely to occur at night or in the evening (65%) – this rises to 74% for young passengers – and at weekends with 28% occurring on Saturday and 30% on Sunday.

Even new or learner drivers are not belting up with 17% admitting they don’t bother with belts and 24% saying they’ve been driven as a passenger while not wearing a one.

Reduce fatalities

Add that all up and you have a serious problem – one that shouldn’t exist as data shows that wearing a safety belt can reduce the risk of death in a crash by around 50%.

It begs the question – why are young, even learner drivers not clicking in? Perhaps it’s because both young drivers and passengers can feel ‘invulnerable’ and are more prone to risk-taking as well as falling foul of peer pressure.

All change

Whatever the contributing factors are, it’s clear that something needs to change. It’s why the AA is calling for a renewed focus on educating young people about the huge benefits of belting up – as well as promoting the idea of giving new drivers six points on their licence for not wearing a seatbelt.

That would mean the driver losing their licence and having to resit their theory and practical driving test under the New Drivers Act.

“Wearing a seatbelt is the single most effective way to protect yourself, and others in the car with you, from death and serious injury,” explains Edmund King, Director of the AA Charitable Trust. “It is an utter tragedy that young people are dying as passengers and drivers because they have failed to put their seatbelt on.”

Belt up

King hopes the AA’s calls will boost involvement across the road safety network and drive home how important belts are not only to drivers – but passengers as well: “Our message to young passengers is clear – belt up in the back – it could save your life, and the lives of others in the car with you.”

It’s a message echoed by the Government: “We’re committed to working alongside road safety organisations and through initiatives like our THINK! ‘CLICK’ campaign,” says Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood, “which reminds young people of the life-saving importance of [safety belts] and their friends belting up whatever the journey. A simple ‘CLICK’ can save lives.”

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