Modern day seatbelt is 50 years old

In the fifty years since the advent of the three-point car safety belt it is estimated that it has saved the lives of one million motorists. In Europe alone, the safety belt is estimated to reduce road fatalities by 40 percent every year.

Volvo was also the first manufacturer to fit three-point safety belts as standard equipment in its cars, from 1963.

Research published by the Department for Transport indicates that each year over 500 people die in crashes not wearing a seatbelt and, in 2007, over 300 of these might have survived had they been belted in. Seatbelt use has been mandatory for all car occupants since 1991.

Safer cars, more dangerous streets?

A spokesperson for the Environmental Transport Association (ETA) said: “The seat belt continues to be hailed as the single most important safety feature on modern cars, but even the best design and technology is no substitute for careful driving.”

“Airbags, anti-lock brakes and even seat belts may have improved safety for car drivers, but they have also allowed motorists to subtly abdicate their duty of care to those road users more vulnerable than themselves.