A new national campaign has launched, calling for defibrillators to become mandatory equipment in all newly manufactured cars.
Recently released polling has revealed that a staggering 74 per cent of the British public support the proposal.
The JumpStart campaign highlights that only one in 10 people currently survive an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, resulting in 30,000 deaths annually across the UK.
The initiative aims to transform the nation’s 37 million vehicles into a life-saving public health resource, addressing the critical gap in defibrillator access that sees the devices used in just 10 per cent of cardiac arrest cases.
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Almost three-quarters of motorists support proposals to install defibrillators in cars
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Research shows that defibrillators are often unavailable when needed most, with 60 per cent of the public unaware of their nearest device location.
The survival rate drops by up to 10 per cent with each minute that passes without CPR and defibrillation.
The campaign notes that approximately 80 per cent of cardiac arrests occur in or near the home, where automated external defibrillators are least accessible.
This geographical mismatch between where cardiac arrests happen and where life-saving equipment is located contributes to the devastating survival statistics.
Experts say installing defibrillators in cars would save lives
PA
With vehicles frequently parked in residential areas, the proposal could address this critical accessibility gap.
Jon McLeod, spokesperson for the JumpStart campaign, said: “This is a straightforward, practical solution.
“As cars are already part of our everyday lives, why not make them part of the solution?
“Equipping every new vehicle with a defibrillator is a small ask with a huge return: saving lives that would otherwise be lost in the precious minutes before an ambulance can arrive.”
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The campaign has engaged with major charities and sector organisations on the technical aspects of the proposed reforms.
Following this, political engagement will intensify in the coming weeks, with MPs and ministers being approached to support the initiative.
The campaign has been conceived and philanthropically funded by Jonathan Harris CBE and led by the DRD Partnership and Mishcon de Reya.
Polling data reveals that 82 per cent of respondents believe the proposal would save lives, while 72 per cent said having defibrillators in cars would improve education around CPR and defibrillator use.
Defibrillators are already installed in trams across Edinburgh
PA
An overwhelming 86 per cent agreed that the initiative would help improve public awareness of cardiac arrest.
The campaign arrives as both Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander and Health Secretary Wes Streeting have indicated receptiveness to evidence-based interventions that deliver public benefit.
As part of its objectives, the campaign aims to introduce meaningful change before the end of the year.
Warwickshire Police recently announced that it would be installing defibrillators in 28 specialist police cars across the county.