During the crackdown on the wearing of seatbelts and child restraint systems last week, a total of 2,728 people were caught risking their own lives by not wearing a seatbelt. Irresponsible adults allowed 167 children under 12 years of age to travel without the appropriate safety device, 46 of them in the front seat. Of all of those people found to be not wearing a seatbelt, 74% were on conventional roads.
All occupants within a vehicle must wear a seatbelt or restraining device appropriate to their height and weight. The rule of one seatbelt, one passenger must also be adhered to. Many modern cars for example are only fitted with two seatbelts in the back, and so, irrespective of the width, only two passengers can be carried on that seat.
During this week-long campaign, a total of 379,246 vehicles were checked, some from the air and others from the roadside or at checkpoints. The Pegasus equipped helicopters were out in force, with many road users now being aware of their power, as there was an increase in the number of vehicle occupants who decided to “buckle up” having spotted the helicopters in the air.
Statistically, the wearing of a seatbelt can reduce the risk of death in a vehicle collision by 80%, and although adults can make the decision for themselves, the importance of ensuring children comply is paramount.