Wearing a seatbelt and changing your mobile phone habits when you¡¯re behind the wheel could save lives - that¡¯s the message Waikato Police are trying to get through to drivers as part of Operation Habit, which launched on Monday and runs until Sunday 7 August 2016.
There¡¯s been a sudden increase in deaths associated with restraints not being worn ¨C from an average of 57 per year from 2012-2014, to 92 in 2015.
Nationally, between January and March 2016, 41% of vehicle occupants killed in road crashes were unrestrained at the time of the crash. This translates to 28 people whose deaths may have otherwise been prevented.
Despite showing that wearing a seatbelt reduces your chance of death or serious injury in a crash by at least 40%, far too many local drivers are putting themselves and their families at risk by not using them.
¡°Regardless of the vehicle you¡¯re in, or whether you¡¯re the driver or a passenger, the message is the same,¡± said Waikato Road Policing Senior Sergeant Phil Ruddell. ¡°Wear a seatbelt. It takes next to no time to buckle up and it could save your life.¡±
Motorists are being reminded that all child passengers, up to the age of seven, have to be restrained in an appropriate child restraint, such as a baby capsule, toddler¡¯s car seat, or pre-schooler¡¯s booster seat. It is also the driver¡¯s responsibility to ensure that all passengers under the age of 15 are wearing suitable restraints.
¡°It¡¯s unacceptable to put children¡¯s lives at risk by wilfully ignoring the law or failing to restrain a child where restraints are available,¡± said Mr Ruddell.
¡°The death or serious injury of any child in a crash is a tragedy. No family should ever have to bury a child whose death could have been avoided by being properly restrained while in the car.¡±
Driver distractions - particularly those posed by talking, texting and checking emails on a mobile phone while driving - are another key target during the nationwide Operation Habit.
¡°Drivers need to be aware of the very real risks posed by anything that diverts their attention for more than a couple of seconds,¡± said Mr Ruddell. ¡°When you get behind the wheel, put your phone away or hand it to a passenger so you¡¯re not distracted by the sound of a text or call.
¡°Answering that call or text could put you, your passengers and other road users at risk. No phone call or text is that important.¡±
ENDS
*** NOTE FOR MEDIA ***
* Ridealongs are available. Please contact Jo Haywood in the Police Media Centre on (04) 238 5111 to arrange.
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