asked the Minister for Local Government if he proposes to make the wearing of car seat belts compulsory.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Car Seat Belts.
16.
As I stated in my reply to a similar question on the 29th July, 1975, I do not propose to make the wearing of seat belts compulsory at present but I am keeping the matter under review.
Does the Minister not accept that if the use of car belts was compulsory there would be a substantial reduction in the number of people killed on our roads?
It has been so stated.
In view of that evidence, would the Minister not consider bringing in such legislation?
Deputy Leonard is missing a point if he read my reply when this question was asked before. If the wearing of seat belts is made compulsory, there must then be a penalty imposed on those who do not wear seat belts. Neither Deputy Leonard nor I would like to see another offence created. We do not want to see an ordinary law abiding citizen who, for some peculiar reason, does not want to wear a seat belt prosecuted for not wearing one. It has been made compulsory in a number of countries, Finland, Spain and Switzerland, but other countries will not do that. Britain had prepared a Bill and withdrew it.
Last year the insurance companies in Britain made a case before a court where somebody had been injured and who was not wearing a seat belt. The court decided they were entitled to less compensation than if they had been wearing it. If the same thing happens here, this will make people wear seat belts. I do not propose at present to make it a crime for refusing to wear a seat belt.
Are there any EEC directives in this regard?
No, they have not made up their mind about it and it is very unlikely they will make it compulsory. We will naturally do whatever is decided.
(Interruptions.)