Police cannot do it alone. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. The message is simple – seat belts save lives.

The two seconds that it takes to fasten your seatbelt may just save your life. Between January and March 2016, 41% of vehicle occupants who lost their lives were unrestrained.

Canterbury has the third highest unrestrained vehicle occupant death rate nationally between 2012 & 2016 with 52 unrestrained deaths recorded.

In 2016 five people lost their lives on Selwyn Roads. Four of those were occupants in vehicles and all  four were unrestrained. Sadly the statistics show these loss of lives were highly preventable. No  family should ever have to bury a child, parent or loved one whose death could have been avoided by being properly restrained while in a vehicle.

The snap decision of not wearing your restraint has lifelong consequences and effects on family, friends and emergency services. Parents, family members and friends are constantly reminded ofthat snap decision, not just on the anniversary of a loved one’s death, but on father’s day, mother’s day, birthdays, school holidays, Easter, Christmas and every other day of the year for the rest of their lives.

Drivers are 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 traveling in vehicles. The death 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.

Regardless of what type of motor vehicle you are driving or a passenger in, whether it’s a people mover or an 18 wheeler truck, the message is still the same. Wear your seat belt.

Police cannot do it alone. Road safety is everyone’s responsibility. Police do not want to see anymore broken families or emptier communities.

Selwyn Police will be out in force and will take a zero tolerance on unrestrained occupants of motor vehicles. $150.00 Infringement Notice will be issued.

The message is simple – Seat belts save lives – it’s a no brainer.

Constable Blair Croucher

Rolleston Police