Mandatory Rear Seat Belt Wearing

EDM number 1102 in 1989-90, proposed by Stephen Day on 13/06/1990.

That this House is concerned that during 1988 there were over 23, 000 rear seat casualties in car accidents who were not wearing a seat belt, including 4,000 serious casualties and over 300 deaths; notes that since front seat belt wearing became compulsory, adults are now twice as likely to be injured in the rear than in the front of cars; recognises that unrestrained rearseat passengers kill and injure other car occupants as well as themselves; accepts that rear seat belts may reduce deaths and serious injuries by two-thirds; regrets that while around 50 per cent. of cars are fitted with belts only 11 per cent. of adults use them; notes that mandatory rear seat laws overseas have significantly increased wearing rates; further notes that a recent Gallup survey reported that 82 per cent. of participants were in favour of the mandatory use of rear seat belts; welcomes the support of motoring, medical and safety organisations and the motor industry for such a measure; notes the important contribution that this measure will make to his target of reducing casualties by two-thirds by the year 2000; and calls upon the Secretary of State for Transport to initiate a consultation process speedily with a view to the introduction of the mandatory use of rear seat belts, where fitted, in cars and taxis as soon as possible.

This motion has been signed by a total of 94 MPs, 1 of these signatures have been withdrawn.