Ian Wright backs football club's seat belt shirts

Ian Wright said wearing a seat belt reduced the risk of death in a crash by 50%

A football club's match shirts have been redesigned to feature a seat belt motif as part of a road safety campaign backed by former England striker Ian Wright.

Non-league Basingstoke Town will use the one-off shirts for its home match against Merthyr Town on Saturday.

Instead of three vertical blue stripes, the new version has a single diagonal blue line.

The AA Charitable Trust, which has organised the stunt, will also display the message "Buckle Up" on perimeter boards, napkins, car park flags and beer mats for the game at the Winklebury Football Complex stadium.

Basingstoke's usual kit (left) has been redesigned to feature a seat belt motif

Wright, 61, who appears on The Overlap podcast, said: "Wearing a seat belt is the simplest thing you can do to protect yourself when you're in a car, no matter if you're driving or getting a lift."

Analysis by the AA Charitable Trust found 43% of passengers aged 17-29 who died in crashes on Britain's roads between 2019 and 2023 were unbelted. The figure for passengers was 27%.

The analysis also revealed 29% of young drivers who die in crashes are not wearing a seat belt, of which 95% are male.

Basingstoke Town players will wear the shirts on Saturday

AA Charitable Trust director Edmund King said: "For any football club, young players are their most valuable assets and therefore ensuring they stay safe on the roads is vitally important.

"Research shows that teenagers are most at risk from serious injury as passengers or drivers when unbelted.

"Even on short journeys it's absolutely vital to wear your seat belt."

Drivers face a £100 on-the-spot fixed penalty notice if they are caught not wearing a seat belt. If the case goes to court they could be fined up to £500.

The AA Charitable Trust has previously called for new drivers caught behind the wheel unbelted to be handed six penalty points, meaning they could lose their licence.

Basingstoke Town chairman Jack Miller said: "The seat belt kit is a striking reminder of a simple action that saves lives, and we're proud to wear it.

"Hopefully, it sparks conversations and makes a lasting impact."