Rural drivers in Victoria are more than twice as likely to drive without wearing a seatbelt than motorists in major urban areas, according to new road safety data.
The Transport Accident Commission (TAC) recently released its Road Safety Monitor, which found that 6.7 per cent of drivers have admitted that they drove without a seatbelt in the past 12 months. In comparison, 2.8 per cent of drivers in major urban areas in the state admitted to driving without a seatbelt.
Over 2400 Victorian licence holders participated in the survey.
Seatbelt use linked to other risky behaviours
The TAC also found that drivers who did not consistently wear seat belts were more likely to engage in other high-risk driving behaviors. This includes speeding, drink driving, and driving while fatigued.
The risks can be particularly significant in regional areas, where motorists often travel longer distances and drive on higher-speed roads.
In addition, regional drivers were also more likely to report driving heavy vehicles, with approximately 17 per cent saying they had driven a heavy vehicle compared with 3 per cent of metropolitan motorists.
Regional passengers also taking risks
The data showed that 4.7 per cent of rural passengers reported travelling without a seatbelt in major urban areas.
The TAC said wearing a seatbelt can reduce the risk of death in a crash by up to 50 per cent for front-seat occupants and up to 75 per cent for rear-seat passengers.
Rural road toll remains a concern
While the number of fatalities on rural Victorian roads has fallen, regional road safety remains a significant concern.
In the 12 months to 25 August 2026, 88 people were killed on rural Victorian roads. This is a 15 per cent drop from the previous year when 104 deaths were reported.
TAC chief executive Tracey Slatter said the findings reinforced the importance of consistent seatbelt use.
“Every Victorian deserves to get home safely, yet we’re seeing too many people in regional areas taking a risk that can have devastating consequences,” Ms Slatter said.
She said the data highlighted the need to continue encouraging motorists to wear a seatbelt on every trip.
The TAC is urging drivers and passengers to buckle up every time they travel, regardless of the distance or location of the journey.
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