The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) is warning that despite 50 years of seat belt laws, far too many drivers and passengers are still putting themselves and others in great danger by not wearing seat belts.

The first seat belt law came into force in January 1965, which saw all new cars in the UK required to have seat belt anchorage points on the outer front seats – and paved the way for far-reaching compulsory seat belt wearing laws in the decades after.

Statistics from the Department of Transport show that of the 232 car occupants killed in 2013 (for which seatbelt data was recorded), 45 were not wearing a seat belt – a shocking 19%, or nearly one-fifth (1).

According to Safer Roads, 2,000 people a year are saved by wearing seat belts. They say in the event of an accident if unrestrained, you will hit the windscreen, or the front seat in the case of a rear seat passenger at a force of 30 to 60 times your own body weight (2).

The effectiveness of seat belts as a life saving device is without question. Research has found that for drivers seat belts are 50% effective at preventing fatal injuries, 45% effective at preventing serious injuries and 25% effective at preventing minor injuries.

It also found for front seat passengers, seat belts are 45% effective at preventing fatal or serious injuries, and 20% effective at preventing minor injuries (3).

Quite apart from safety factors, drivers caught without a seat belt face on-the-spot fines of £100 and three penalty points. If prosecuted, the maximum fine is £500.

Back in 1965 all new cars sold were required to have seat belt anchorage points for the front outer seats. In 1967 the law was changed so all new cars were required to have seat belts fitted. In 1968, seat belts were required to be retro-fitted to all cars sold from 1965.

The biggest development in seat belt development came in 1983 when it became compulsory for front seat occupants to wear one. This Sunday (31 January) marks the 32nd anniversary of the passing of the front seat belt law in the UK.

In 1989 it became compulsory for all children under 14 to wear a seat belt in the rear, and finally in 1991 it was required that all rear seat occupants wear a seat belt.
After the 1983 law was passed, there was an immediate 25% reduction in driver fatalities and a 29% reduction in fatal injuries among front seat passengers.

Despite that, the 2013 statistics show there is still a section of the driving population that continues to ignore the law, despite it being in place for more than three decades.

Kevin Delaney, IAM head of road safety, said: “The biggest problem is complacency.

“Quite simply people feel it will never happen to them. They think if they are driving locally and at a low speed they will be OK. Statistics show that many accidents not only take place at low speeds but also within a few miles of home – so people are mistaken if they think that makes them safer.”

Although putting on a seat belt is habitual to many car occupants today, evidence from the DfT’s THINK! campaign has found that people are less likely to belt up on short or familiar journeys (4).

Kevin added: “The trouble is if people are not wearing a seat belt and find themselves heading towards an accident, it is far too late to do anything about it.”

He called for continued campaigning by government, police and road safety bodies to ensure the issue of wearing seatbelts remains a priority message.

“We need to keep spreading the message particularly on rear seat belt use. And if people don’t take heed of it, they will end up as a Department of Transport accident statistic.”

This month the Minister for Economic Development, Laurence Skelly MHK offered a confident outlook for the Isle of Man's economy in 2015. The Island performed well over 2014, with growth across key sectors and Minister Skelly was keen to highlight a renewed focus on regeneration and development in the Island's town centres.

'There is a definite drive for investment and regeneration this year. The Government owns many strategic assets which can be better utilised to support entrepreneurship by private investors and developers. For example, Expressions of Interest are currently being invited for parties interested in developing areas around Douglas Quayside. Building on recent regeneration this site offers significant opportunities for the investor.

'Developments such as these are essential for attracting new business to the Isle of Man. As the Island's economy continues to grow and diversify, it is important to seek out growth and development opportunities to ensure a sustainable future for the Island. 2014 was a good year for the economy, with continued growth of around 3% and unemployment falling by around one quarter, and the prospects for 2015 are looking just as positive. It is very important that we continue to drive forward skills development and training on the Island as well as creating more jobs in our established sectors and industries such as manufacturing and financial services.

'We are also increasing our capabilities to engage with businesses from overseas and the UK regions. We have been particularly successful in engaging with China and closer to home with the North of England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

'We are undertaking significantly increased promotional activity this year on the advantages of doing business with the Isle of Man and are committed to maintaining our status as an International Business Centre in the heart of the British Isles.'

Thursday 11th February - Friday 12th February

Ace Cafe London's regular monthly Italian Night, held 6pm - 11pm close on the 2nd Thursday of each month, next falls on Thursday 11th February and as this date is also the 82nd birthday of John Surtees OBE, the cafe will be marking the occasion by teaming up with the charity founded by John in memory of his late son, Henry Surtees 1991 - 2009, for all Italian Nights at the Ace through 2016.

The charity, www.henrysurteesfoundation.com assists people with accidental injuries and helps young people to develop their capabilities.

Starting at age 15 in 1949, racing motorcycles and winning Grand Prix's and World Championships, in 1960 John switched to racing cars, his debut Formula 1 race being with Lotus. This year, 2016, is the 60th anniversary of his winning his first World Championship in 1956 on a 500cc MV Agusta.

In 2013, the Royal Automobile Club awarded John the prestigious and historic Seagrave Trophy, the citation on which reads "For his outstanding career in two and four wheels motorsport, including seven motorcycle World Championship titles, culminating in the unique achievement of being the only man to win a motorcycle World Championship and the Formula One World Championship".

On Thursday 11th February everyone who puts a donation in the charity collecting tins on the counter at the cafe will receive a raffle ticket with draw being held at 10pm to win an Ace goodie pack and a subscription to Classic Cars Magazine!

Similarly, on Friday 12th February, Bike Night, from 6pm with draw at 10pm an Ace goodie pack is up for grabs as a prize, along with a subscription to Classic Bike magazine!

www.henrysurteesfoundation.com‏

British Superbike rider geared up for the season
•BSB race winner protected by Kushitani in 2015
•Will use leathers based on range-topping Elevation suit
•Josh will also use GPR-6 gloves - £189.95

Josh Waters will race in Kushitani leathers and gloves in the 2015 MCE British Superbike series on his factory-supported Halsall Racing Suzuki GSX-R1000.

The 28-year old Australian, a former two-time Australian Superbike champion and British Superbike race winner, is no stranger to the historic Japanese brand. Racing for the Yoshimura Racing Team on three occasions at the prestigious Suzuka 8 Hour, Josh took to the podium in 2011 and 2014 protected by Kushitani products.

For the 2015 MCE British Superbike Championship, Josh will re-unite with the Halsall Team he raced with in 2013 but will continue with Factory-backed Suzuki machinery that took him to two wins in the 2014 BSB series and a brace of top six finishes.

Over the 12 round series, Josh will utilise a fully customised version of the Kushitani Elevation; the Hamamatsu factory’s premier, GP-spec suit. Starting from £1649, it boasts a 1.5mm cowhide construction made from a breed of cows unique to Kushitani and is available to all customers fully customisable, in terms of sizing, colours and detailing.

Josh will also use the range-topping Kushitani GPR-6 gloves developed in MotoGP™ and the Suzuka 8-Hours. The GPR-6 glove gets its name from having six layers of outer protection and is the highest specification glove from Kushitani, focusing on maximum protection and comfort for riders who seek to get the most from their machines. Priced at £189.95, it is available in red, white, or black in sizes S-XXL.

Josh Waters said: “I’m really pleased to be wearing Kushitani products throughout the entire 2015 season. From their close working relationship with Yoshimura Racing, I’ve Kushitani in the Suzuka 8 Hours and that is a race that really pushes a product hard. Not only do I trust it for its excellent protection and comfort, the finish of them is truly stunning.”

Visit www.kushitani-uk.co.uk for more information

Former World Supersport podium finisher Robbin Harms is set to make his debut at the 2015 Isle of Man TT Races, fuelled by Monster Energy.

The Danish rider will ride for the highly respected TC Racing/DP Coldplaning team, run by former racer Mick Charnock, and will contest the RST Superbike, RL360 Superstock, PokerStars Senior and Monster Energy Supersport Races on Honda machinery.

The 33-year old came to prominence in the cut and thrust arena of the World Supersport Championship, contesting the series on a full-time basis from 2005 through to 2011. His best results came when he rode for the Hannspree Stiggy Motorsport Honda team from 2006 to 2008, finishing fifth, seventh and ninth overall in the Championship, taking four podiums along the way, including a brace of runner-up spots in 2007 at Donington Park and Silverstone.

An ever-present top ten finisher, he then successfully ran his own team in 2010 and 2011, again on Honda machinery, scoring a best Championship position of seventh overall in 2010. In total, the Copenhagen resident's impressive haul of results in the World Championship saw 20 top five finishes and 41 top ten finishes in seven years of competition.

Harms made his first appearance on the World stage as a teenager in 1999, contesting the 125cc World Championship where he scored points at the season finale in Argentina after finishing 13th. He returned to the series between 2002 and 2004, scoring 13 points in total and recording a best position of 10th at the 2003 Australian Grand Prix.

As well as making his TT debut in 2015, Harms will return to the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championship, riding for the MotoDex Performance First Racing squad aboard a BMW S1000RR. His best result in the series came in 2013 when he placed seventh at Snetterton before injury curtailed his campaign.

Speaking about his planned debut, Robbin commented:

"I didn't think I would have the chance to race in the world famous Isle of Man TT but thanks to the efforts of the organisers and Mick Charnock and the TC Racing/DP Coldplanning team that dream has become a reality. I made my first visit to the Island to see the circuit for myself in December and I am under no illusions as to how much work there is ahead of me. However I am not fazed by this and I intend to spend as much time as I can on the Island learning the course so I am fully prepared when the races begin."