New Report Warns Seat Belt Non-Use and Mobile Phone Driving Remain Under-Detected Road Safety Risks

A major new report from the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) has raised concerns that two of the UK’s most dangerous driving behaviours — not wearing a seat belt and using a mobile phone at the wheel — continue to be poorly detected and enforced.

The study, supported by technology firm Acusensus, draws on evidence from police forces, academics, legal experts and technology providers. It concludes that despite official surveys suggesting high levels of compliance, both behaviours remain significantly over-represented in serious and fatal collisions.

PACTS highlights that in 2023 almost two-thirds of fatal road collisions in Great Britain involved at least one of the so-called “Fatal Four” factors. While roadside surveys indicate most drivers wear seat belts, unrestrained occupants still account for a disproportionate number of deaths. Mobile phone use while driving is described as increasingly normalised, yet detection rates remain very low.

The report points to several fatal collisions involving distracted lorry drivers to underline the risks. These include a 2021 crash on the A1(M) in Durham which killed a mother and three children, a 2016 collision on the A34 near Newbury that claimed four lives, and a 2018 incident in Dumfries where a driver was jailed after checking his phone moments before a fatal crash.

PACTS argues that emerging technology could play a key role in addressing these issues. AI-enabled roadside cameras, in-vehicle monitoring systems and phone-limiting apps are already being trialled in the UK. Trials involving National Highways, police forces and Acusensus have shown that automated systems can identify large numbers of offences in a short time, while publicising their use can act as a deterrent and encourage safer behaviour.

Within a Safe System approach, the report recommends a number of measures, including updating legislation to allow automated detection with human verification, reviewing penalties and the use of educational courses, and improving national coordination to ensure consistent standards for evidence and data governance. It also calls for wider use of technology-based enforcement, greater transparency around accuracy and privacy safeguards, and stronger action from employers and fleet operators through telematics, in-vehicle alerts and robust driving-for-work policies.

The report also highlights a gap in accountability, noting that road traffic collisions are not usually reportable under RIDDOR, unlike other workplace incidents. As a result, government data on deaths and serious injuries linked to employer failings on the road remains limited.

PACTS says better use of aggregated data could provide a clearer national picture of risky driving behaviours and help target enforcement more effectively.

The full report is available online.