To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport (1) what research his Department (a) has commissioned, (b) plans to commission and (c) has evaluated on the merits of installing a seat belt reminder system in all new motor vehicles sold; and if he will make a statement; (289575)

The last UK seat belt wearing survey in 2008 recorded 95 per cent. of drivers and 93 per cent. of front seat passengers wore seat belts in passenger cars. Published research has indicated that seat belt reminders can have a positive effect on seat belt wearing rates. The Department for Transport has not commissioned and has no plans to commission further research on the merits of installing a seat belt reminder system in all new vehicles sold.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport (1) what recent discussions he has had with the motor industry on the installation of a seat belt reminder system in all new motor vehicles sold; and if he will make a statement; (289576)

The motor industry was partner to detailed negotiations that led to requirements within regulations made under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe for seat belt reminders to be fitted to the driver’s seat in passenger cars. The European Commission has brought forward proposals to adopt these requirements into Community law as part of their regulatory simplification process and the Department for Transport will be meeting with Commission officials later this month.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what estimate he has made of the cost of installing a seat belt reminder system in the front seats of motor vehicles; and if he will make a statement. (289577)

Currently, many new cars are equipped with seat belt reminders for their front seats on a voluntary basis. We have not estimated the costs of this installation.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport when his Department last undertook a review of the evidence relating to the effectiveness of seat belts in reducing deaths and injury that drew on (a) UK and (b) international research; and if he will make a statement. (289578)

The most recent report the Department has produced on the effectiveness of wearing seat belts was published in November 2008, Road Safety Research Report 98—“Strapping Yarns: Why People Do and Do Not Wear Seat Belts”.

This is available from:

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roadsafety/research/rsrr/theme5/reportno98.pdf

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will take steps to allow persons guilty of an offence under section 14(3) of the Road Traffic Act 1988, in lieu of a fine, to attend a driving safety course paid for by the offender that includes instruction on the benefits of wearing seat belts; and if he will make a statement. (289579)

The decision to offer any driving safety course as an alternative to prosecution or a fixed penalty notice is entirely a matter for the police where they feel it is the most productive option. There is nothing to prevent the police offering courses in respect of the benefits of using seat belts.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what the seat belt wearing rate has been in each province in Northern Ireland (a) in the last period for which figures are available and (b) in each month since 2005. (289582)

The Department for Transport does not hold this information. This is now a matter for the Northern Ireland Administration.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will bring forward proposals to provide incentives to consumers to purchase cars fitted with a seat belt reminder system; and if he will make a statement. (289584)

There are no plans to do so.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what recent discussions he has had with motor insurers on insurance premiums for drivers of vehicles fitted with a seat belt reminder system; and if he will make a statement. (289620)

The Department for Transport had no discussions with motor insurers on insurance premiums for drivers of vehicles fitted with a seat belt reminder system.

To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport what records his Department has on the percentage of cars sold which were fitted with a seat belt reminder system in the latest period for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement. (289702)

The Department for Transport does not collect this information.