§ Mr. Knoxasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he has any evidence to indicate that the introduction of compulsory seat belt wearing for front seat passengers has encouraged people to sit in the back of cars.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThere is no evidence of this occurring. No change has been observed in the ratio between front and back seat passengers; and fatal and serious rear seat casualties fell by 4 per cent. in the first 11 months of the legislation.
This aspect will, however, continue to be studied as part of our overall monitoring exercise.