AA: more than a third of young crash victims were not wearing seat belts
AA analysis of Department for Transport data shows more than a third of young people killed in car crashes over five years were not wearing seat belts.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
New figures show more than a third of young people killed in car crashes over the last five years were not wearing seat belts. The AA analysed Department for Transport data and said it was astonished by the finding. Edmund King, president of the AA, said wearing a seat belt halves the chances of being killed.
King said the problem appears to be concentrated in urban areas and often happens at night. It is more common among male drivers and occupants. He warned that people in the back of a car are also at risk and can put those in the front in danger. In a crash, an unbelted passenger can be thrown forward with the force of a small elephant, he said.
He said safety messages need to start early, with children using car seats and then seat belts. Attitudes can change when young people reach 17 or 18. The AA has tried campaigns with football clubs, including support from England legend Ian Wright and Basingstoke Football Club. It is now talking to the Department for Transport and the minister about reviving the Think seat belt campaign and running its own campaign.
King said the problem is not limited to boy racers or deliberate dangerous driving. He described the case of a 17 year old girl who was in the back of a car without a belt. The driver was going too fast and crashed, and she died. He said short journeys are also risky. The data showed people driving a mile were less likely to be belted up than those driving 100 miles.
He called for drivers to take responsibility for passengers in the back. If they are not belted up, he said, the driver should refuse to move until they put their belts on. The message, he added, is simple and applies to every trip.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | ITV |
|---|---|
| More than a third of young people killed in car crashes over the last five years were not wearing seat belts. | |
| Seat belt non-use among young crash victims is more common in urban areas, at night, and among male drivers and occupants. | |
| Wearing a seat belt roughly halves the chance of being killed in a crash. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
ITV1 carried the story as a studio interview with AA president Edmund King, built around new AA analysis of Department for Transport data. The tone was urgent and practical, focusing on why young people still skip belts and what parents, drivers and passengers can do. It also linked the data to peer pressure, short journeys and a wider trend of glamorised dangerous driving.
- “more than a third of young people who were killed in car crashes over the last five years were not wearing a seat belt.”
- “Wearing a seat belt actually halves the chances of being killed.”
- “if you're thrown forward in a crash, it's like with the velocity of a small elephant.”
Who was on air
People and organisations each channel put on air while covering this story. Channels' own presenters and reporters are not listed. Names as transcribed, and the list can miss people.
- 13:43 BST
Edmund King, president of the AA
“Joining me now is the president of the AA, Edmund King.”
ITV Lunchtime News · Wed 23 Sept
Broadcast Timeline
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