Over 75% of drivers in Ukraine not using seat belts

A study conducted by the Center for Democracy and Rule of Law (CEDEM) shows that more than 75% of drivers in Ukraine do not use seat belts, CEDEM Deputy Director Olesia Kholopik has said.

She said this at a briefing at Ukrinform on Tuesday, according to the news agency's correspondent.

"We have recently presented a nationwide study that showed that a large number of drivers and passengers ignore seat belts. More than 75% of drivers do not use them, while the fines for not using seat belts are very low, only 51 hryvnias," Kholopik said.

She emphasized that passengers and drivers often do not use seat belts, because there are popular myths among them that, in particular, during an accident, a seat belt will not allow a person to get out of a car, that it is not obligatory to wear a seat belt in the back seat, or there is a belief that airbags will be sufficient.

According to CEDEM, 23% of drivers and passengers in Ukraine used seat belts in 2018 and only 15% in 2017.

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