Two out of five young passengers killed in crashes not wearing seat belt
Data shows 43% of car passengers aged 17-29 who died in crashes on Britain’s roads between 2019 and 2023 were not wearing a seat belt.
Last updated 8th Jan 2025
Two out of every five young people who are passengers killed in car crashes are not wearing a seat belt, according to new data analysis.
The AA Charitable Trust analysed Department for Transport data and found 43% of car passengers aged 17-29 who died in crashes on Britain’s roads between 2019 and 2023 were not wearing a seat belt.
That's much higher than the figure for passengers of all ages, which was 27%.
The analysis also found that 29% of young drivers who die in crashes are not wearing a seat belt, of which 95% are male.
Calls for harsher penalties for not using a seat belt
Drivers can be handed a £100 on-the-spot fixed penalty notice if they are caught not wearing a seat belt when they are supposed to. If the case goes to court they could be fined up to £500.
The AA Charitable Trust recently called for new drivers caught behind the wheel unbelted to be handed six penalty points, meaning they could lose their licence.
The charity’s director, Edmund King, said: “Wearing a seat belt is the single most effective way to protect yourself, and others in the car with you, from death and serious injury.
“It is an utter tragedy that young people are dying as passengers and drivers because they have failed to put their seat belt on.
“This research marks the start of a renewed focus from the AA Trust on the simple importance of wearing a seat belt.”
Future of roads minister Lilian Greenwood said: “This stark data highlights a preventable tragedy. Far too many young lives are being cut short simply because seatbelts aren’t being worn.
'We want to prevent other families going through a similar tragedy'
Phoebe Johnson, from Swadlincote, Derbyshire, was days away from her 18th birthday when she died in a car crash as a passenger not wearing a seat belt in October 2021.
The driver and a front seat passenger, who were both belted up, survived.
Phoebe’s mother, Nicky Johnson, said: “I dropped her off at a friend’s house where they were house sitting about 15 miles away from home.
“I had arranged to pick her up at 9.30am the next morning, but the next time I saw her was in the hospital.
“We want to support this campaign to help ensure people understand the importance of wearing a seat belt and, hopefully, prevent other families going through a similar tragedy.”