it became law to wear seat belts in the uk in 1970.
when did it become law to wear seat belts in the uk?
1970
in the uk, a requirement for anchorage points was introduced in 1965, followed by the requirement in 1968 to fit three-point belts in the front outboard positions on all new cars and all existing cars back to 1965. successive uk governments proposed, but failed to deliver, seat belt legislation throughout the 1970s. front seat belts were compulsory equipment on all new cars registered in the uk from 1972, although it did not become compulsory for them to be worn until 1983. rear seat belts were compulsory equipment from 1986 and became compulsory for them to be worn in 1991. however, it has never been a legal requirement for cars registered before those dates to be fitted with seat belts. in one such attempt in 1979 similar claims for potential lives and injuries saved were advanced. william rodgers, then secretary of state for transport in the callaghan labour government (1976–1979), stated: "on the best available evidence of accidents in this country - evidence which has not been seriously contested - compulsion could save up to 1000 lives and 10,000 injuries a year."
seat belt legislation
most seat belt laws in the united states are left to the states and territories. however, the first seat belt law was a federal law, title 49 of the united states code, chapter 301, motor vehicle safety standard, which took effect on january 1, 1968, that required all vehicles (except buses) to be fitted with seat belts in all designated seating positions. this law has since been modified to require three-point seat belts in outboard-seating positions, and finally three-point seat belts in all seating positions. initially, seat belt use was voluntary. new york was the first state to pass a law which required vehicle occupants to wear seat belts, a law that came into effect on december 1, 1984. new hampshire is the only state that has no enforceable laws for the wearing of seat belts in a vehicle.
seat belt laws in the united states