Drivers Fined for Not Wearing Seatbelts

Request Number: FOI/15095

Category: Roads Policing and Safety Cameras - Traffic Offences

Subject: Drivers Fined for Not Wearing Seatbelts

Request and Answer: 
Your request for information has now been considered. In respect of Section 1(1)(a) of the Act we can confirm that the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) does hold the information to which your request relates and this is being provided to you.

We have also provided you with links to guidance issued by the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) which we have followed in responding to your request.

Request 1
How many drivers in total were fined for not wearing a seatbelt in your district in the last 12 months/in the previous 12 months up until your most recent data set?

Clarification requested:
Drivers also can be referred for prosecution for seatbelt offences. Would you like the data for prosecutions too or just those who received a fine?

Clarification received:
Please just provide the number of people who received a fine for not wearing a seatbelt.

Response

These figures are provisional and subject to change. 

Request 2
How many drivers between the ages of 17 and 29 were fined for not wearing a seatbelt in your district in the last 12 months/in the previous 12 months up until your most recent data set?

Response

Please note this includes detections that resulted in a fixed penalty notice.

Request 3
The number of casualties caused by drivers not wearing a seatbelt in your district in the last 12 months/in the previous 12 months up until your most recent data set?

Response 
In the calendar year 2023 there were 149 casualties where it was confirmed that a seatbelt was not in use.

In the calendar year 2024 there were 127 casualties where it was confirmed that a seatbelt was not in use.

Figures relate to casualties in vehicles in which a seat belt is normally worn, however causation due to no seatbelt usage cannot be implied. In addition, it should be noted that across both years, for approximately 29% and 33% it was unknown whether or not a seat belt was in use.

Data presented is the latest available for which seatbelt usage has been published. Information is drawn from injury involved collisions reported to police.

The detailed trends report presents information on seatbelt usage, please see attached reports for 2023 and 2024.

Request 4
The top 3 months where you reported the highest numbers of drivers being fined for not wearing a seatbelt in your district in the last 12 months/in the previous 12 months up until your most recent data set?

Response

These figures do not include detections that resulted in a referral for prosecution.