29 June 2005
WEAR YOUR SEAT BELT AND SET A GOOD EXAMPLE
Drivers are being urged to set a good example by wearing their seatbelts.
This is the message DOE is stressing after the results of the latest Northern Ireland Seat Belt Survey were reported today. DOE Road Safety spokesperson Harry Green said: "If you are driving and are wearing your seatbelt your back seat passengers are 30% more likely to be wearing theirs."
The latest survey was carried out in April 2005 and shows an increase on 2004 figures. 91% of Northern Ireland’s drivers and passengers are now wearing seat belts. That is up by 2% for both drivers and front seat passengers to 93% and 92% respectively and by 4% to 81% for back seat passengers.
Mr Green said: "The Department is very encouraged by these results which show further increases in the number of drivers and passengers who are taking personal responsibility for their own safety.
"Whilst this latest survey highlights that the overall seat belt wearing rate for children has increased, around 1 in 5 children aged between 5 and 13 still travel unrestrained in the back of a car. If you are driving and this happens you are the one breaking the law. The law requires you, the driver, to make sure that all passengers under the age of 14 are belted up.
"Our findings also show that the wearing rate for back seat passengers increases by 30% when the driver of the car is wearing their seat belt. If you are a parent or have children travelling in your car, please remember that they will follow your example, whether good or bad.
"As drivers you have the legal obligation, the right and the influence to ensure that your young passengers are properly and safely belted up.
"Drivers, I urge you, set a good example and help to save lives. Remember - No Seatbelt No Excuse."
Chief Inspector Brian Kee, deputy head of the Police Service’s Road Policing Development Branch, welcomed the news that seatbelt usage has gone up and said: "Quite simply seatbelts are lifesavers. Everyone knows that. But there are still people who ignore the law and the obvious safety benefits for themselves and others, very often children. That is why the Police Service moved almost two years ago from a position of mainly offering advice and warning to one of issuing fixed penalty notices. In the first five months of this year 9,111 people have been fined. Don’t wait for us to catch up with you. Be sensible and belt up."
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