This weekend Operation Belt Up will see police across the state targeting seatbelt use in an enforcement campaign intended to save lives.
“Quite simply we know that belting up significantly reduces the chance of a motorist or passenger dying or being seriously injured if they are involved in a crash,” Superintendent Bob Gray, the officer in charge of the SA Police Traffic Support Branch said.
There has already been one road death in 2019 linked with someone not fastening their seatbelt – a simple decision that has a terrible impact for a wide circle of people, he added.
Police data shows that eight of the 80 people who died on the state’s roads in 2018 were not wearing their seatbelt at the time of the crash.
In the five year period between January 2014 and December 2018, 68 vehicle occupants – including two children – were killed in crashes in South Australia while not wearing a seatbelt, Superintendent Gray added.
“It defies logic to not fasten your seatbelt – and make sure your passengers are wearing theirs – every time you get in a vehicle,” he said.
“This weekend’s high profile enforcement campaign will be statewide from 12.01am Friday until midnight Sunday, so I am urging the community to remember to belt up before they hit the road.”
Operation Belt Up was last conducted from 19 to 21 October 2018 where a total of 131 detections were recorded across the state through a combination of traffic infringements and cautions.
Seatbelt offences
Driver fail to wear seatbelt properly adjusted and fastened
Expiation $363; Victims of Crime Levy $60 – Total $423 plus three demerit points.
Passenger 16 years or older:
* Fail to wear seat belt
* Occupy same position as another passenger
* Occupy position not fitted with seatbelt
Expiation $363; Victims of Crime Levy $60 – Total $423 plus three demerit points.
Driver fail to ensure passengers 16 years or older are wearing seatbelt and seated in accordance with rule (see above)
One such passenger
Expiation $363; Victims of Crime Levy $60 – Total $423 plus three demerit points.
More than one such passenger
Expiation $428; Victims of Crime Levy $60 – Total $488 plus five demerit points.
Driver fail to ensure passengers under 16 years are wearing seatbelt or approved child restraint and are seated in accordance with rule
One such passenger
Expiation $363; Victims of Crime Levy $60 – Total $423 plus three demerit points.
More than one such passenger
Expiation $428; Victims of Crime Levy $60 – Total $488 plus five demerit points.
