Motorists who fail to wear a seatbelt could be hit with three penalty points on their driving licence under new road safety proposals backed by Andy Burnham. The measure is part of Labour's road safety strategy and would be applied on top of existing financial penalties.
The move is aimed at deterring drivers from ignoring seatbelt laws, which remain one of the most common causes of preventable deaths on UK roads. Police have reported that some motorists deliberately sit on their seatbelts to stop safety alarms from sounding, a practice that leaves them completely unprotected in the event of a crash. Not wearing a seatbelt is widely recognised as a major contributing factor to deaths and serious injuries, and the proposed points system is intended to reinforce the seriousness of the offence.
How the penalty points would work
Under the current system, a seatbelt offence carries a fine but no penalty points. If the new measure is implemented, drivers would receive three points in addition to the fine. This could have significant consequences for motorists who already have points on their licence. In the UK, accumulating 12 or more penalty points within three years results in a driving ban, and new drivers who build up six points within two years of passing their test automatically lose their licence.
The threat of losing their licence could be a powerful deterrent. A driver who is just three points away from a ban would think twice before ignoring the seatbelt law. For professional drivers, such as van or lorry operators, a driving ban could mean losing their livelihood, making the potential penalty even more severe.
Advanced cameras to catch offenders
Police are also using more advanced roadside camera technology to detect seatbelt offences. These cameras can identify a driver not wearing a seatbelt automatically, removing the need for a police officer to be present. This means that even motorists who assume they can get away with not wearing a seatbelt on a quiet road are increasingly at risk of being caught.
The combination of camera enforcement and penalty points is expected to significantly reduce the number of people who flout the law. It is part of a broader safety crackdown that includes other key proposals.
Drink-drive limit and older driver tests
The road safety strategy also contains plans to cut the drink-drive limit. This would lower the legal blood alcohol concentration permitted for drivers, a move that safety campaigners have advocated for years. The exact new limit has not been confirmed, but any reduction would bring England and Wales closer into line with rules in Scotland, where a lower limit applies.
In addition, the strategy proposes that older motorists should undergo mandatory eyesight and cognitive tests. These tests would ensure that drivers maintain the necessary visual and mental abilities to drive safely, addressing concerns about age-related declines in reaction time and perception. The proposal could affect a significant number of older drivers, who would be required to prove their fitness to continue driving.
Impact on drivers
If these measures are rolled out, they will mean substantial changes for drivers across the country. The three-point penalty for seatbelt offences is a particularly notable shift, as it moves the offence from a simple fine to a serious motoring violation. Together with the drink-drive reduction and testing for older drivers, the strategy represents a comprehensive approach to improving road safety.
Andy Burnham is overseeing the rollout of the strategy, which is still at the proposal stage. Drivers are being urged to familiarise themselves with the potential changes and to ensure they comply with existing seatbelt laws in the meantime. The new penalties, if approved, will leave no doubt that not wearing a seatbelt is an unacceptable risk to safety.
