Wearing a safety belt reduces the chance of severe or fatal injury by around 40%*. Whether you are in the front or the back seat, driver or passenger a seat belt can be the difference between life and death.
Over the last 10 years attitudes in New Zealand towards seat belts have changed dramatically. For one it is a legal requirement that everyone in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt. And children under five must be restrained with an approved child restraint at all times.
A strong campaign to raise awareness of the necessity of seat belts has also had a major influence on public diligence when it comes to use.
The use of seat belts New Zealand-wide is estimated at around 95 percent on average for all passengers’ front and back seat. However the 5% of people not clicking on are increasing the risk of them dying in car accidents. It is estimated that around 30 lives are lost each year that could have been saved if a seat belt was worn. Add to that an average of between 250 and 300 injuries that could have been prevented.
As a driver, when you get in the car you become responsible for your passengers. Adults must wear a seat belt and when it comes to children, it’s up to the adult to ensure the child is properly restrained in an approved car seat or child restraint. A fine of NZ$150 can be issued to all occupants not wearing a seat belt. Children under 15 years old are the responsibility of the driver and the fine is payable by the driver, over 15 a person is responsible for their own fine.
For children the legal requirements are as follows;
There is no excuse for not wearing a seat belt or using the appropriate car seat or restraints for children. Seat belts and car seats are the most effective and simple form of car safety. They give you the greatest chance of survival in the case of an accident and are the best way to ensure that minor accidents don’t cause major injuries.
* www.transport.govt.nz/research/Pages/safetybeltstatisticsandchildrestraintsurveys