Counties Manukau Police are focusing on seatbelt safety and drivers’ mobile phone use behind the wheel as part of the nationwide Operation Habit, which launched on Monday and runs until Sunday 7 August 2016.
The message is simple - seatbelts save lives.
There’s been a sudden increase in deaths associated with restraints not being worn – from an average of 57 per year from 2012-2014, to 92 in 2015. Nationally, between January and March 2016, 41% of vehicle occupants killed in road crashes were unrestrained at the time of the crash. This translates to 28 people whose deaths may have otherwise been prevented.
Despite showing that wearing a seatbelt reduces your chance of death or serious injury in a crash by at least 40%, far too many local drivers are putting themselves and their families at risk by not using them.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility and drivers need to take just as much care and attention on rural roads as they do in urban areas,” said Road Policing Senior Sergeant Jonathon Chappell. “Wearing a seatbelt is part of that. It takes just a few seconds to buckle up and it could save your life. It’s a no-brainer.”
Driver distractions can come in many forms and are another of the key targets during Operation Habit – particularly those posed by talking, texting and checking emails on a mobile phone while driving.
“When you get behind the wheel, put your phone somewhere where the sound of a call or text isn’t going to distract you, or leave it with a passenger,” said Mr Chappell. “Answering that call or text could put you, your passengers and other road users at risk. No phone call or text is that important.
“Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Making these small changes to your driving habits really can help save people’s lives on our roads.”
ENDS
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Ridealongs are available. Please contact Jo Haywood in the Police Media Centre on (04) 238 5111 to arrange.