A reader wrote asking about the Law relating to the wearing of seatbelts by rear seat passengers. You can read the full legislation here.
The Motor Vehicles (Wearing of Seat Belts) Regulations 1993 says that seatbelts MUST be worn IF FITTED. This applies to both front and rear passengers.
Part II of the legislation says:
Requirement for adults to wear adult belts
5.—(1) Subject to the following provisions of these Regulations, every person—
(a)driving a motor vehicle (other than a two-wheeled motor cycle with or without a sidecar);
(b)riding in a front seat of a motor vehicle (other than a two-wheeled motor cycle with or without a sidecar); or
(c)riding in a rear seat of a motor car or a passenger car which is not a motor car;
shall wear an adult belt.
(2) Paragraph (1) does not apply to a person under the age of 14 years.
There are exemptions. Under these, the legislation says:
Exemptions…
…
(3) The requirements of regulation 5 do not apply to—
(a)a person driving a vehicle if the driver’s seat is not provided with an adult belt;
(b)a person riding in the front of a vehicle if no adult belt is available for him in the front of the vehicle;
(c)a person riding in the rear of a vehicle if no adult belt is available for him in the rear of the vehicle.
So in most modern cars, all occupants are required to wear seatbelts, and there is no distinction between front or rear passengers.