Volvo Cars, the same folks who invented the three-point safety seatbelt, recently sent out a crucial reminder to buckle up. According to Volvo Car South Africa, a study has uncovered some eye-opening insights about young drivers and their seatbelt habits.
Related: EV Roadtrip Review - Cape Town to Bloem in the Volvo EX30
Shocking statistics on young drivers and seatbelts
The study found that 52% of 18-24 year-olds say they ‘sometimes or never’ wear a seatbelt. This group is also the least aware of the legal requirements for buckling up. Felipe Yagi, Head of Marketing & Communications at Volvo Car South Africa, highlights a concerning trend: “More young drivers are hitting the roads as they choose private transport, thanks to easier financing options. We must educate them on why wearing a seatbelt is so important.”Did you know that wearing a seatbelt can boost your chances of surviving a crash by 50%? Yagi reminds us that seatbelts were designed to save lives. When Volvo invented it in 1959, they made the patent available to all car manufacturers.
The ‘cool factor’ and peer pressure
One surprising takeaway from the study is how much the ‘cool factor’ influences whether people wear seatbelts. About 14% of all car users—drivers and passengers alike—think it’s not ‘cool’ to wear a seatbelt, especially when driving close to home. This attitude is more common among men; 19% of respondents feel this way compared to 8% of women. Peer pressure plays into this, too. Many people believe buckling up is unnecessary when driving through “safe areas” or while parking, especially if others aren’t wearing theirs. But here’s the kicker: collisions at low speeds can be just as dangerous as those at high speeds. Yagi warns, “Driving closer to home doesn’t mean you’re safe or that your seatbelt isn’t needed.”
Related: Volvo XC40 Recharge Ultimate Review
Seatbelt use varies by area
The study also sheds light on some troubling trends in specific communities. Passengers travelling in townships or informal settlements are particularly at risk, with 59% admitting they ‘sometimes or never’ wear seatbelts. Yagi points out an interesting cultural nuance: “For many South Africans, wearing a seatbelt in familiar areas can sometimes make them feel like outsiders.” This leads some people to tuck their seatbelts behind their backs just to fit in—a move that completely defeats the purpose.
Related: Top road safety tips for SA road users
Road fatalities and seatbelt compliance
When we look at road traffic statistics for the 2023/24 festive season, it’s clear that young adults aged 25 to 39 are particularly vulnerable, making up about 41% of all road fatalities. While 75% of this age group claim they always wear a seatbelt while driving, compliance drops significantly as they get closer to home—about 29% admit to taking off their seatbelts near their destination. Legal issues are still one of the biggest reasons people buckle up; 40% say they do it mainly because they might run into police or traffic checkpoints. Other factors include bad weather and heavy traffic.
Related: Drinking and driving - how much is too much?
A look back at seatbelt attitudes
Volvo has been pushing for better seatbelt use for years. In 2020, they launched a global campaign reminding drivers about the importance of buckling up, even referencing past public reactions when seatbelts were first introduced. Some folks argued that wearing one violated their rights or suggested that being thrown from a vehicle was better than being trapped inside. Despite these outdated beliefs, statistics show that rear three-point seatbelts reduce fatalities by 44%. Yagi emphasises how critical it is for everyone—especially passengers—to wear their seatbelts: “A child weighing just 27 kg in a crash at 48 km/h can exert forces equivalent to 1.2 tons, which is like having an elephant in the backseat!”
Let’s make our roads safer
Every Easter holiday season, law enforcement checks over 1.4 million vehicles, leading to thousands of arrests for offences such as reckless or drunk driving. Yagi concludes with an important message: “If we can get drivers and passengers to buckle up this Easter, we have a straightforward way to help reduce road fatalities.”So, let’s make safety a priority! Buckle up and encourage your friends and family to do the same—because no one is too cool to die on our roads!
Related: What you need to know if you get stopped at a roadblock
Source: Volvo Car South Africa
