Compulsory Safety Belts

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29866, 5 July 1962, Page 13

Compulsory Safety Belts

<N Z.P.A -Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, July 4 The British Government proposes to make a regulation requiring ail new cars to be fitted with safety belts, one for the driver and the other for the front passenger, it was announced by tbe Parliamentary secretary to the Ministry of Transport (Mr John Hay) last night during the standing committee discussion on

the road traffic bill. He said that a recent investigation by the road re--earch laboratory into a sample number of accidents in which cars had been badly damaged had led to the conclusion that the wearing of safety belts might have reduced fatal and serious in-

jury to the occupants by half

With this in mind, and having regard also to the fact that in 1961 more than 20.000 persons suffered fatal or serious injury while •ravelling in cars, the Ministry of Transport had decided to lay before Parliament a regulation requiring all cars to be fitted with safety belts for both seats As required by the Road Traffic Act. 1960. the Ministry would consult the appropriate organisations and get their views. Mr Hay said The safety belts were likely to have to comply with the current British Standards Specifications, he added Anchorage and Harness Mr Hay said it was hoped regulations could be made as soon as possible with the

effect of requiring all new cars after a certain date to be fitted with anchorage points for safety belts, and for them to be sold complete with harness for the occupants- in the front seat. Last year’s sales of safety belts totalled 800,000 and this year's figure ia expected to top the million mark. A senior Ministry of Transport executive said: “It will not be compulsory for motorists to wear the belts—just compulsory to fit them to the front seats of new cars.” the “Daily Express” reported _ According to the “Daily Mail." tbe Royal Automobile Club's comment on the move was: “We are all for safety belts . but we prefer the idea of encouraging their use rather than making them pompulsory."