Brexit rules bonfire could 'water down seatbelt law and cost thousands of lives'
Safety campaigners warn scrapping EU rules could water down seatbelt law and cost thousands of lives.
Rishi Sunak plans to rip up remaining EU laws by the end of the year left on the statute book after Brexit.
But the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents worries that any relaxation in seatbelt rules will discourage people from wearing them when use is already at an all time low despite fines of up to £500.
RoSPA says that although some seatbelt laws are covered by British legislation others - especially involving children - came from the EU.
EU rules specify the type of seatbelt which must be used for a child under 12 travelling in the front seat of a car, and says the air bag must be deactivated for rear-facing child restraints.
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Regulations also define the type of devices for a “small child” under 135cms and “large children” 150cms taller or more.
Birmingham nurse Sarah Haywood, 41, was travelling on the M42 with her two daughters, Isla, 4, and Anja, 12 months, in August 2020 when she was involved in a horror smash.
A lorry crashed into the back of their car sending it and the family hurtling 20 feet into the air and somersaulting four times.
But seatbelt laws meant they all escaped with minor cuts and bruises. Had they not belted up they would be dead.
Rishi Sunak was fined for not wearing a seatbelt while filming a video (PA)Sarah, from Sutton Coldfield, said: “We were travelling back from Solihull near junction 6 when a lorry smashed into the back of my car and we landed on the central reservation.
“I’m not sure what caused the accident but one thing I am certain of is without seatbelts we would have died.
“I always check they are fastened properly, are tight enough, and whether they are in the right hold. Strict seatbelt laws are vital to keep us all safe.”
In 2021 a quarter of the 27,450 people killed or seriously injured in road accidents were not wearing a seatbelt, the highest number on record. And that rises to nearly half of those driving at night..
Nathan Davies of RoSPA said: “Compliance is the lowest it has ever been. By removing seatbelt laws usage falls and fatalities increase.
“Throwing vital seatbelt laws in the air will set the stage for thousands of people being killed and injured on the road.”
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RoSPA says EU safety legislation governing those working at height are also set to go with increases in the 29 killed in 2021 and 123 hospitalised every day.
Removing regulations surrounding PPE face masks construction workers must wear could increase the 2,540 killed by asbestos and 12,000 who die from lung disease because of the temptation to opt for cheaper alternatives.
And in the past three years EU laws have stopped 311 types of dangerous toys being bought for children. And other European rules cover circular saws, food mixers and sewing machines.
The requirement to wear seatbelts came in 40 years ago this month and are estimated to have saved 100,000 lives. The PM was fined £100 for not wearing one last month while filming a social media video in the back of a moving car.
RoSPA boss Errol Taylor said: “For every life saved by seatbelts, we also estimate 10 serious injuries have been prevented.
“This is not about politics. This is about saving lives. Stripping of vital laws relating to seatbelts, toy safety and other critical areas is astounding.
Business minister Nus Ghani has identified 3,200 EU laws so far which could be axed. They were copied into UK law to minimise disruption to businesses when Britain officially left the EU in 2020.
But that could be the tip of a huge iceberg because the UK adopted 265,490 laws, judgements, directives and regulations since joining Europe in 1973.
Ministers want to scrap the ones they say we do not need using fast track secondary legislation in the EU Retained Law Bill which means MPs will not get the chance to scrutinise the changes.
But Labour has tabled an amendment giving Parliament the final say on which laws should be abandoned.
Shadow Cabinet Office minister Jenny Chapman said: “It would stop regulation falling out of law without anyone noticing.”
A DfT spokesperson said: “Wearing seat belts is an essential part of road safety and we will ensure it continues to be mandatory.
“We are also considering measures to strengthen enforcement of seatbelt use.”
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