Police are urging drivers to belt up during a 3-day blitz on seatbelt wearing by adults and children.
Running from Saturday 14 November until Monday 16 November, Operation Belt Up will target drivers who make the dangerous decision not to wear a seatbelt or not to restrain their children appropriately.
Inspector Cindy Healey, Acting Officer in Charge Traffic Services Branch says failure to wear a seatbelt is one of the leading causes of death and serious injury in crashes on our roads and that vehicle occupants are 10 times more likely to be killed in a crash if they are not wearing a seatbelt.
“Not wearing a seatbelt or the correct child restraint in cars significantly increases the chances of being killed or seriously injured if you’re involved in a crash,” Inspector Healey said.
In 2019, 16 people who were killed on the road were not wearing a restraint at the time of the crash, equating to 28% of all vehicle occupants killed (where the restraint status is known).
To date in 2020 there have been 14 people killed in crashes whilst not wearing a seat belt. This represents 27% of the current fatalities where the restraint status is known. (As of 13 November 2020).
Also of concern, said Inspector Healey, is that some parents are unknowingly choosing the incorrect method of restraint for their children when driving them around in cars.
“Research suggests some children are being moved into bigger seats, or are prematurely graduating to seatbelts when this is not appropriate for their size,” Inspector Healey said.
“These children are exposed to a greater risk of injury. A child who is properly secured in an approved child restraint is less likely to be injured or killed in a car crash than a child who is not.”
Inspector Healey says police encourage parents to seek expert advice on the appropriate restraint for their children or to visit https://www.mylicence.sa.gov.au/road-rules/seatbelts-and-child-restraints for information.
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