Practise principles, drivers told

24 January 2006

23% of motorists don't wear seat belts
Emissions not a priority to buyers
Fast performance also low in importance

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Motorists are most interested in safety when buying a car, but nearly a third admit to having travelled without a seatbelt in the past year.

A survey of 2048 drivers by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) has found that 23% of motorists put safety at the top of the list once budget is decided.

Despite the interest in safety when buying a car, 29% of respondents said they had travelled without wearing a seatbelt in the last year. Londoners are the most likely not to belt up, while women are generally more safety-conscious than men.

The survey also found that 73% of motorists haven't read the Highway Code since passing their test, while a quarter either never check their tyre pressures or wait until it is time for a service to have it done.

Fuel-efficiency is the top priority for 18% of motorists, but low emissions are only considered important by 3% of buyers. Less than 4% said they were motivated by fast performance.

The SMMT has produced a report called 'Drive Green, Drive Safely' as a result of these findings, calling on motorists to be more responsible at the wheel and consider more-efficient models at purchase.

Chief executive of the SMMT Christopher Macgowan said: 'Millions of motorists are guilty of taking safety for granted. The motor industry has a responsibility to drive this message home, and every motorist should make it a resolution for 2006 to do their bit.'

Visit www.smmt.co.uk to see the full results of the survey and to download a copy of the 'Drive Green, Drive Safely' report.