1983: British drivers ordered to belt up
The wearing of seatbelts for drivers and front-seat passengers was made compulsory under a new law that came into force on 31 January 1983.
Before the law was introduced, evidence suggested that six out of 10 motorists ignored advice to belt up in the front.
The debate about making front seatbelts mandatory had rumbled on for 15 years, and there were 11 previous attempts to make it law.
This ±«Óătv News report was first broadcast on 31 January 1983.