According to a survey conducted by Liikenneturva, 97% of front-seat passengers in Finland utilized seat belts last year, showcasing a commendable adherence to traffic safety measures. However, there remains a minority, approximately 3%, who resist this crucial safety practice. While the compliance rate for front-seat passengers is high, those sitting in the back seat show lesser figures, with only 91% using seat belts. This indicates that the issue of seat belt resistance is more pronounced among back-seat passengers.

Elias Ruutti, the communications manager at Liikenneturva, emphasizes the importance of achieving a 100% seat belt usage rate, suggesting that the current figures, despite being stable over the years, are not satisfactory. He points out that while front-seat compliance is high, improving back-seat usage remains a significant challenge. The discrepancy indicates a need for increased awareness and education regarding the life-saving benefits of wearing seat belts, especially since other passive safety technologies like airbags are designed to work in concert with seat belts.

The survey conducted in December provides critical insights into Finns' attitudes towards seat belt usage. It raises the alarm on the need for continued advocacy and education to elevate seat belt usage rates. Ongoing efforts by Traffic Safety authorities like Liikenneturva aim to address these gaps, particularly the risk posed by back-seat passengers not buckling up, contributing to overall traffic safety efforts in Finland and reducing fatalities and injuries caused by road accidents.