HC Deb 24 July 1987 vol 120 c605W
Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for Transport, since the wearing of seat belts became compulsory for car drivers and front-seat passengers, how many of the following categories of person have been killed or seriously injured in each year: (a) drivers, (b) front-seat passengers, (c) back-seat passengers, (d) motorcyclists and cyclists in collision with motor vehicles and (e) pedestrians in collision with motor vehicles.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

I shall write to my hon. and learned Friend.

Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many serious road accidents there have been in each year since the wearing of car seat belts became compulsory; and how many there were in each year over the same number of years before compulsion.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The information is as follows:

Serious Accidents: Great Britain
February 1980—January 1986
Year Number
Pre-compulsory seat belt wearing
February 1980–January 1981 65,336
February 1981–January 1982 64,548
February 1982–January 1983 66,619
Post-compulsory seat belt wearing
February 1983–January 1984 59,735
February 1984–January 1985 61,479
1Feburary 1985–January 1986 60,907
1 Provisional.

An analysis of the effect of compulsory seat-belt wearing on injuries was covered in the Department of Transport's report in October 1985.