With double the number of road deaths this summer associated with a seat belt not being worn, Police are co-ordinating an operation focusing on getting road users to buckle up.
Initial crash data indicates that over the summer period (1 December 2015 to 31 January 2016), 22 deaths were associated with a restraint not being worn. For that same period the year before, there were 11 road deaths associated with not wearing a seat belt.
“This operation is about having fewer victims on our roads, not issuing tickets. Seat belts save lives – it’s that simple.” says Superintendent Steve Greally, National Manager of Road Policing.
“It’s disappointing and frustrating that in 2016 we still have people not taking the extra few seconds to protect themselves by doing something as simple as buckling up, especially when everyone knows it saves lives.”
Ministry of Transport data shows that wearing a seat belt reduces your chance of death or serious injury in a crash by 40 percent. Regardless of whether you sit in the front or the back seat, the risk of serious or fatal injury is virtually the same.
The nationwide operation will run the week starting 29 February 2016, and while the main focus is on restraint use, Police will also be checking that drivers are not using their cell phones while driving, and everyone stopped will be breath tested.
Annual figures show a sudden increase in deaths associated with non-restraint use. There were around 57 deaths per year associated with non-restraint use from 2012 to 2014. In 2015 that figure jumped to 92.
“No family should ever have to bury a child or family member whose death could have been avoided by being properly restrained while in the car, says Mr Greally.
“Seat belts – it’s a no-brainer. The two seconds that it takes to fasten your seat belt may just save your life.”
ENDS
Media Contact: Rachel Purdom, rachel.purdom@police.govt.nz or 021 908 101.
For all requests for Auckland based media ride-alongs, please contact Shelley Nahr, Shelley.nahr@police.govt.nz or 021 595 562.
Further information
- Preliminary crash data indicates that from 1 December 2015 to 31 January 2016, 22 deaths were associated with a restraint not being worn:
| Dec-Jan | Deaths | No restraint worn deaths |
|---|---|---|
| 2008–2009 | 82 | 17 |
| 2009–2010 | 72 | 21 |
| 2010–2011 | 60 | 14 |
| 2011–2012 | 68 | 17 |
| 2012–2013 | 57 | 8 |
| 2013–2014 | 42 | 14 |
| 2014–2015 | 48 | 11 |
| 2015-2016 | 64 | 22 |
- Last five calendar years of vehicle occupant deaths where restraints where not worn.
| Calendar year | No restraint worn deaths |
|---|---|
| 2011 | 74 |
| 2012 | 57 |
| 2013 | 58 |
| 2014 | 56 |
| 2015 | 92 |
Source: NZTA Road Safety Outcomes report 1 October to 31 December 2015.
Child Restraints:
- Since November 2013 all child passengers up to 7 years of age, have to be restrained in an appropriate child restraint.
- Approved child restraints include:
- infant restraints for young babies (often called baby capsules)
- restraints for older babies, toddlers and preschool children (often called car seats)
- booster seats for preschool and school-aged children
- child safety harnesses (used with or without a booster seat) for preschool and school-aged children.
- The driver is responsible for ensuring that all passengers under the age of 15 are appropriately restrained.
- The rules for child restraint use are for one purpose - to stop children from being killed or seriously injured when travelling in vehicles. The death or serious injury of any child is a tragedy, and even more so when it can be prevented with the use of simple and widely available equipment like child restraints.