§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Transport how many lives, how many serious injuries and how many minor injuries, respectively, he estimates would be saved each year in the United Kingdom if passengers in the rear seats of motor cars wore seat belts.
§ Mrs. ChalkerRear seat casualties amount to some 300 killed, 4,000 seriously injured and 17,000 slightly injured each year. The efficacy of rear seat belts is less clear than for front seat belts, but no doubt a significant proportion of such casualties could be saved. At present the wearing rate amongst casualties is only 3 to 5 per cent.
§ Mr. Greville Jannerasked the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of drivers and of front seat 444W passengers he estimates wore seat belts before this became compulsory; and what percentage he estimates are now wearing them.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI refer the hon. Gentleman to the 1983 wearing rates up to March given in answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Eastleigh (Sir David Price) on Wednesday 27 April 1983. — [Vol. 41, c.369–70.] During 1982 the wearing rates were mostly around 36 to 38 per cent. for drivers and 37 to 40 per cent. for passengers, gradually rising to around 42 per cent. and 46 per cent., respectively, in December, no doubt in anticipation of the regulations taking effect.