ALMOST half of all adult passengers in the rear of cars do not wear a seatbelt.

New research has suggested that only 54% of adult passengers wear a seatbelt in the back of a car, with the under-35s the worst offenders for not buckling up.

The Driving Instructors’ Association (DIA) is urging drivers to ensure they and their passengers have belted up.

It claims that if a car crashes at 30mph and a back-seat passenger is unrestrained they will hit the front seat and anyone in it with a force of between 30 and 60 times their own body weight.

Eddie Barnaville, DIA general manager, said: ‘It is also shocking how many cars have too many passengers in the back, exceeding the number of seatbelts available. Seatbelts save lives and should always be used.’

He said that all new cars must have front and rear seatbelts fitted – and they must be worn.