This bulletin presents the Scottish findings of a survey carried out jointly by Transport Scotland and the Department for Transport (DfT) in 2014 to provide evidence on seatbelt compliance amongst vehicle occupants and mobile phone use by drivers. Data were collected at a range of sites across Scotland and England, and this is the first survey to present representative estimates on both mobile phone and seatbelt use in Scotland. Seatbelt compliance studies were carried out in Scotland in 1997 and 2002. Between 1989 and 2009, DfT commissioned a series of surveys to provide estimates of seatbelt compliance amongst vehicle occupants, with mobile phone use by drivers also included from 2002. However, these studies focused on sites in England, only including sites in Scotland for the seatbelt element in 2009. Thus, the current survey not only satisfies the need for more up-to-date evidence but also provides more information on compliance in Scotland than has been available previously. Road safety law in regards to seatbelt and mobile phone use is a reserved matter. Under current law, with limited exceptions, vehicle occupants must wear a seatbelt if one is fitted in the seat being used or face a fine of up to £500. In addition, since 2003, it has been illegal to use a hand-held phone or similar device whilst driving or riding a motorcycle, including when stopped at traffic lights or queued in traffic. Hand-held mobile phone use by drivers attracts an automatic fixed penalty notice of 3 licence penalty points and a fine of £100, but can potentially result in more severe penalties depending on the circumstances. The 2014 seatbelt survey resulted in 7,732 vehicle occupants being observed in Scotland, whilst the mobile phone survey recorded the behaviour of 13,493 drivers. The proportion of car drivers observed using their seatbelt correctly in 2014 was 97.8%, an increase from the 95% recorded in 2009. The seatbelt wearing rate amongst rear seat car passengers has increased from 88% in 2009 to 99.0% in 2014. The proportion of car drivers observed using a mobile phone whilst driving was 1.3% at moving (free-flowing) sites and 1.6% at stationary (traffic light controlled junction) sites. The mobile usage rate at moving sites by drivers of ‘Other vehicles’ (vans, lorries, buses, coaches and mini-buses) was notably higher (2.9%) compared to car drivers. Drivers were more likely to be witnessed with a mobile phone in their hand than at their ear. (Author/publisher)
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