A NORTH-East MP has given his backing to a new campaign urging passengers to belt up in the back.
Fraser Kemp, MP for Houghton and Washington East, joined with Transport Minister Alistair Darling to urge back-seat passengers to stay safe.
It follows a recent survey that showed that, while nine out of ten front-seat passengers will belt up, less than two-thirds of adults wear seat belts in the back.
The campaign aims to mark the 20th anniversary of the introduction of the seat belt laws.
Mr Kemp said: "I am concerned that people are much less willing to wear seat belts in the back than up front, despite it being compulsory since 1991.
"It is accepted that wearing seat belts both in the front and the back of cars saves lives and reduces injuries in road accidents.
"That is why I am asking everybody to remember to belt up when travelling in the front of a car, but also to belt up in the back."
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