Almost 6,000 drivers caught without seat belts so far in 2024
Nearly 6,000 motorists have been caught driving without a seat belt in the first half of 2024, according to newly released Garda figures, sparking renewed calls for stricter road safety enforcement.
The data reveals that 5,848 drivers were stopped and fined for failing to wear a seat belt which is a basic legal requirement introduced in Ireland over four decades ago.
The figures also show sharp regional increases. Galway recorded a 95% rise in offences, while Kerry and Waterford saw increases of 72% and 57% respectively.
Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, a member of the European Parliament’s Transport Committee, has described the numbers as “truly shocking” and is calling for a tougher stance on road safety enforcement particularly when it comes to seat belts and mobile phone use behind the wheel.
“On the 1st of February, 1979, Ireland introduced legislation that made the wearing of seat belts mandatory for front seat passengers and drivers,” said Ní Mhurchú.
“Forty-six years later, and almost 6,000 Irish people are still being caught not wearing a seat belt. There is no excuse. I do not understand why someone would not buckle up.”
Road safety experts have long identified non-wearing of seat belts and mobile phone use while driving as two of the most dangerous and avoidable behaviours on Irish roads, both of which significantly increase the risk of serious injury or death in a collision.
The MEP’s comments come amid ongoing efforts at both national and EU level to reduce road deaths, which have seen a worrying upward trend in recent years.
