§ Mr. Michael Lathamasked the Secretary of State for the Environment (1) in how many of the fatal road accidents in each of the last five years the rear seat passengers of the vehicle were wearing a seat belt or not wearing one, respectively, and 255W were subsequently killed; and what proportion each of these figures represents of total road deaths;
(2) in how many of the fatal road accidents in each of the last five years the front seat passenger of the vehicle was wearing a seat belt or not wearing one. respectively, and was subsequently killed; and what proportion each of these figures represents of total road deaths;
Vehicles fitted with seat belts Seat belts worn Seat belts not worn Unknown Proportion Wearing seat Belts Per cent. Estimated proportion of mileage travelled wearing seat belts Percent. Vehicles not fitted with seat belts Estimated proportion of vehicles not fitted with seat belts Per cent. 1969— Driver … … 118 637 316 15. 20 936 59 Passenger … … 59 375 13.6 19 1970— Driver … … 89 904 328 9.0 17 837 36 Passenger … … 47 452 9.4 17 1971— Driver … … 109 975 434 10.1 17 687 29 Passenger … … 61 498 10.9 16 1972— Driver … … 129 1,153 469 10.1 20 477 23 Passenger … … 60 605 9.0 21 1973— Driver … … 177 1,163 392 13.2 30 359 17 Passenger … … 92 624 12.8 31 No information is available on the number of rear seat passengers who were killed while wearing or not wearing seat belts.
§ Mr. Stoddartasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is the number of deaths and serious injuries to drivers and passengers in motor cars for the last year for which statistics are available; and if he will estimate the proportion that might have been avoided by the wearing of seat belts.
§ Mr. MulleyIn 1973, 41,000 people were killed or seriously injured in the front seats of cars and light vans. I estimate that 1,000 of these deaths and nearly 13,000 serious injuries could have been avoided by the wearing of seat belts I am making available in the Library a fuller statement of the relevant facts.