asked the Minister for the Environment the number of persons killed in motoring accidents in the past year; and the percentage of those not wearing seat belts.
Written Answers. - Motoring Accidents.
630.
As only drivers and front seat passengers in certain cars, station-wagons and light goods vehicles are obliged to wear seat-belts, it is assumed that the Deputy's question refers to fatalities among these categories of road users only. Although detailed road accident statistics for 1982 are not yet available, I understand from An Foras Forbartha that 533 persons were killed in road accidents in 1982. Of these, 144 were drivers of whom 85 or 59 per cent are recorded as not wearing seat belts. Sixty-six front seat passengers were killed, of whom 39 or 59 per cent are recorded as not wearing seat belts.