New Zealand Police tells people to buckle up and put their phones away when driving.
Road safety week is coming up on 7 May and Police is taking this year’s focus and extending it across the month of May.
“Our staff are going to focus on ensuring compliance around wearing a seatbelt and drivers not being distracted,” says Sandra Venables, Assistant Commissioner for Road Policing.
“Road Policing has four prevention priorities around behaviours we know contribute to death and injury on our roads – distracted driving, impaired driving, going too fast for the conditions, and not wearing seatbelts.
“This month we’re going to target seatbelts and cellphones, with all Police being a part of this national operation.
“Almost a third of all people who die on our roads are not wearing seatbelts. If they had taken the two seconds it takes to put a belt on they may still be here with their families today.
“In a car crash you don’t have time to hit pause and put your belt on. It’s something you need to do as soon as you get in your car.”
“The other thing we see too much of is distracted driving. When you’re driving, your focus should be on driving. Nothing else.
“Too many people are dying on our roads. Lives are being lost which could have been saved.
“Our staff will be out there patrolling every day, as they always are.
“As a driver, you are responsible for everyone in the car getting to your destination safely, so focus on the task at hand.”
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre