HC Deb 06 March 1992 vol 205 c337W
Mr. Janner

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what percentage of children he estimates travel in cars without wearing seat belts as required by law.

Mr. Chope

Children under 14 travelling in rear seats are required to use a seat belt or a child restraint appropriate to their age and weight only where one is fitted and available to be used. The latest survey of wearing rates, conducted by the Transport and Road Research Laboratory in October 1991, found that 12 per cent. of children were unrestrained in post-1987 cars—those fitted with seat belts at manufacture.

All front seat passengers are required to be restrained. The wearing rates for children and adults are very similar. Only 5 per cent. of children travel unrestrained.