NEARLY a third of drivers have not worn a seatbelt while in a moving car at some time in the last year.

This was a key finding in a survey carried out by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders for the launch of a new guide to responsible motoring called Drive Green, Drive Safely.

Londoners are worst at ignoring advice to buckle up, while under 35s are far more likely to risk their lives than older motorists. Women are also better than men while motorists in the north east are the most diligent at buckling-up in the UK.

Survey results also revealed some of the most basic checks and advice from car makers, Government and safety bodies falling on deaf ears. For example, 72% of drivers have not read the Highway Code since passing their driving test while 15% do not bother to test tyre pressures between services, a crucial safety check that also helps minimise tailpipe emissions.

SMMT chief executive Christopher Macgowan said: “Simple steps like reading the Highway Code, taking time to fit a child seat properly and checking tyres regularly could prevent many people from needlessly coming to harm on the roads. Yet millions of motorists are guilty of taking safety for granted. The motor industry has a responsibility to drive this message home and every motorist should make it a 2006 resolution to do their bit.”

A copy of the full survey – which was carried out by Tickbox.net among 2,048 adults aged over 17 – is available on www.smmt.co.uk along with free PDF downloads of Drive Green, Drive Safely.