Southern Police are urging drivers and passengers to remember that a simple click could save your life.
“It’s disappointing that so many people don’t take the easiest measure to help prevent injury and death on our roads by wearing their safety belt,” says Southern District Road Policing Manager, Acting Inspector Tania Baron. “It’s simple and takes a few seconds, but there are a lot of people out there who don’t follow this basic road rule.
Last year alone, staff in Southern District issued 5,322 offence notices relating to people not wearing safety belts, the highest it has been since 2010. When we really get down to it, that’s 5,322 people who have risked injury or even potentially death by not ensuring they are safely buckled up in a car. In the same year, seven people lost their lives on the road who were not wearing safety belts.
“Wearing your safety belt is one of the easiest methods to prevent you from getting seriously injured if you are involved in a crash.”
Police will be continuing to target drivers and passengers who are not wearing their safety belts, and those caught not complying with the road rules face a $150 fine.
“Our staff will be placing considerable focus over the coming month to make sure drivers and passengers are wearing their safety belts.
“Our young ones are aware of the rules, but they learn by example – be a role model and take that extra couple of seconds to make sure we are as safe as we can be.”
ENDS
Released by Acting Inspector Tania Baron, Road Policing Manager, Southern District