Seatbelts targeted in WA Police holiday campaign

Thursday, 22 September 2016

• Concern over number of unrestrained children in cars
• Police targeting road safety as we head into long weekend and school holidays
• Double demerits apply from midnight tonight 

Western Australian motorists have been put on notice after the Liberal National Government released statistics showing 1,902 people fined in one year for having children in their cars without a seatbelt on.

On the eve of the long weekend and school holiday period, Deputy Premier and Road Safety Minister Liza Harvey said there was no excuse for not wearing a seatbelt or ensuring children were correctly restrained.

"The heartache of road trauma is nearly always avoidable and the simple act of putting on your seatbelt every time you get in your car is a habit that could save your life," Ms Harvey said.

The Deputy Premier said that last year 31 of the 119 motor vehicle occupants killed on Western Australian roads were not wearing a seatbelt.

Ms Harvey said the driver of a vehicle was responsible for ensuring their passengers were properly restrained in their vehicles and there were significant fines if they were not.

The statistics showed that in 2015:

• 1,902 people were fined for an unrestrained child in their vehicle
• 2,008 people were fined for having an incorrectly restrained child in their vehicle
• 31 of the 119 motor vehicle occupants killed on Western Australian roads were not wearing a seatbelt. 

"You are 10 times more likely to be killed in a road crash if you're not wearing a seatbelt in a car and that should be motivation enough to put your seatbelt on," the Deputy Premier said.

"If you are hitting the road these school holidays with the family, I urge all parents to ensure everyone has properly secured their seatbelt before you even start the engine."

Fact File

• To date in 2016, statistics show 948 fines have been issued for having an unrestrained child in the vehicle
• To date in 2016, statistics show 990 fines have been issued for having an incorrectly restrained child in the vehicle
• For the purpose of the statistics in this statement a 'child' is anyone aged 15 years or younger
• The State Government has allocated a record $148.5 million in 2016-17 from the Road Trauma Trust Account for proven road safety initiatives