Almost 6,000 caught driving without seatbelt last year, figures show

Almost 6,000 people were caught driving without wearing a seatbelt last year, according to new data.

Garda figures show that 5,848 drivers were caught and fined in 2024 for not wearing a seatbelt while behind the wheel.

There was a 95 per cent increase in detections for the offence in Galway in 2024 compared to the previous year, followed by a 72 per cent increase in Kerry.

Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, a substitute member of the European Parliament's Transport Committee, described the figures as "truly shocking".

"On the 1st of February, 1979, Ireland introduced legislation that made the wearing of seat belts mandatory for front seat passengers and drivers," Ms Ní Mhurchú said.

"Forty-six years later, and almost 6,000 Irish people are caught not wearing a seat belt. There is no excuse. I do not understand why someone would not buckle up."

The Garda figures also show that more offenders are caught not wearing seatbelts in the summer months.

Ms Ní Mhurchú has called for a commitment in the Programme for Government to "introduce new road safety cameras to automatically detect mobile phone use and non-wearing of seat belts" to be implemented immediately.

Fines and penalty points are given to adults who do not wear a seatbelt or allow children under 17 to travel while not properly restrained in the car.

Ms Ní Mhurchú said it was vitally important that parents ensure that their children are properly strapped into the car, with RSA research showing that four in five children are not strapped in properly.