Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will bring forward proposals to revise the Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993 (S.I., 1993/76), as amended, in order to provide greater clarity in respect of the exemptions for (a) taxi drivers, (b) bus drivers, (c) coach drivers and (d) HGV vehicle drivers wearing seat belts.

There are very few exemptions for wearing a seat belt if there is one fitted. Taxi drivers have an exemption when they are plying for hire or carrying a fare, and delivery drivers do not have to wear one if they are making deliveries or collections that are less than 50m apart. If a bus or coach is adapted for standing passengers then there may not be a seat belt fitted, however, if there is one, it should be worn. Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of serious injury in the event of an accident. Rules 99-102 of The Official Highway Code sets out seat belt requirements including exemptions, as does seat belt advice on www.gov.uk, so we do not believe that further clarification is necessary.