Potential plans for penalty points backed by 81% of Brits

New measures could see UK drivers caught not wearing a seat belt penalised with penalty points instead of the usual £500 fine.

CarMats.co.uk reviewed new data from YouGov which surveyed Brits about the potential plans, and the results were in overwhelming favour of harsher penalties for drivers caught without a seatbelt. 

The poll revealed that 83% of Brits surveyed backed the idea, with 52% strongly supporting it. 

Some felt the plan was too harsh, with 11% of people opposing penalty points and 6% stating they don’t know if it’s a good or bad idea. 

The law currently states drivers caught not wearing a seat belt can be fined up to £500. 

However these plans may be a step in the right direction for road safety, with data released this year from the Department for Transport (DfT) revealing 24% of all car occupant fatalities in Britain between 2016 and 2020 involved people not wearing their seatbelt.

Ash Young, Managing Director at CarMats.co.uk said: “Something as simple as ensuring you and your passengers are wearing a seat belt before you start your journey can save lives. 

“Introducing penalty points could be the push needed to reduce the amount of people driving without a seat belt and make the roads a safer place. The £500 clearly isn’t enough, particularly for those 17 to 32-years-old who are the most likely not to wear a seatbelt according to the DfT report.”