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Why Fewer Seat Belt Violations Don’t Necessarily Mean Safer Roads

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A message from the CEO of Budget Direct Insurance

It's encouraging to see that the number of violations for failing to wear seat belts or wearing them improperly has decreased over the past few years. Recent statistics from the Traffic Police show a drop from 5,863 violations in 2021 to 3,559 in 2023. On the surface, this appears to be a positive trend – fewer violations should mean safer roads, right?

But the reality seems to be a bit more complex. Data from our hospitals tells a different story. At the National University Centre for Trauma, the number of patients who weren’t wearing seat belts and suffered severe injuries in traffic accidents actually increased from 20 in 2022 to 25 in 2023. At Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the number of unbelted rear-seat passengers with moderate to severe injuries also rose, from five in 2022 to nine in 2023. These are troubling numbers.

As a father and a motorist who’s spent years on Singapore’s roads, I find this deeply concerning. The evidence is clear: wearing a seat belt can significantly reduce your risk of death in a crash – by up to 50%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). And yet, too many people are still taking the risk of not buckling up.

No Room for Complacency

Doctors have pointed out that not wearing a seat belt can lead to far more severe injuries, including being thrown from your seat or even ejected from the vehicle entirely. The most common cause of death in traffic accidents is brain injury, followed by internal bleeding, both of which can be difficult to treat if they are severe. It's a stark reminder that a simple action – taking a moment to buckle up – can make all the difference between life and death.

We shouldn’t be complacent just because the number of violations is dropping. Instead, we should ask ourselves why people are still neglecting to wear their seat belts. Is it a matter of comfort, complacency, or just a lack of awareness about the risks? Whatever the reasons, it’s clear that we need to do more to promote the importance of seat belt use, not just as a legal requirement but as a critical life-saving habit.

It’s time we make buckling up second nature for every passenger, in every seat, on every trip. Because the truth is, no matter how short the journey or how slow the speed, seat belts save lives. So let’s keep reminding each other, every single time: buckle up – it’s the simplest and most effective way to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

Stay safe out there.

Simon Birch,
CEO of Budget Direct Insurance