30 Aug 2018

Qld Road Safety Week - Seatbelts & Restraints

Wearing a seatbelt or restraint may not prevent a crash, but it can certainly improve the outcome for drivers and passengers... Queensland Road Safety Week focuses on refreshing your knowledge towards the "Fatal Five" issues that are faced by all road users.

Seatbelts & Restraints

On average 31 people are killed and 166 seriously injured on Queensland roads each year as a result of not wearing a seatbelt or an appropriate restraint1

The Facts 
  • Drivers and passengers are around 8 times more likely to be killed in a road crash if they are not wearing a seatbelt2.
  • People aged between 25-39 years, particularly men, are the most frequently unrestrained vehicle occupants killed in road accidents in Queensland1.
  • Alcohol is linked to the lack of seatbelt use3.
  • The driver of a vehicle is responsible for the proper restraint of all passengers4.
  • Children aged up to 7 years must use a child restraint suitable for their age5.
  • 8% of Queenslanders still drive on our public roads without wearing a seat belt6.
What does a seatbelt actually do? 
  • cause the occupant to decelerate at the same rate as the vehicle in a crash, maximising the distance over which the occupant comes to a stop.
  • spread the force of the impact over the stronger parts of the occupant’s body (pelvis and chest area).
  • prevent the occupant colliding with the interior parts of the vehicle.
  • reduce the risk of being thrown from the vehicle.
  • reduce the risk of being thrown through the windscreen7.
Did you know… 

The penalty in Queensland for not wearing a seatbelt is $365 and three demerit points. Double demerit points will apply for second or subsequent offences within 1 year of an earlier offence.

Be smart, use a Seatbelt 
  • Wear your seatbelt every time you drive, even if you’re only travelling a few kilometres.
  • Make sure everyone in your car is safely restrained before moving your vehicle.
  • Make sure your seatbelts and child restraints are correctly fitted.
  • Regularly check your seatbelts to make sure they’re safe and working well.

 

 

1 Department of Transport and Main Roads Qld, Unpublished data extracted 27 June 2018 using road casualty statistics 2013-2017.
2 Department of Transport and Main Roads (2015). Figures are based on the crashes validated in the Queensland Road Crash Information System from 1 January 2007 –to 31 December 2011. Report reference number: rqC19729. Data extracted 23/02/15.
3 Ball, C.G., Kirkpatrick, A.W., & Brennaman, F. D. (2005). Noncompliance with seat-belt use in patients involved in motor vehicle collisions. Canadian Journal of Surgery 48(5) Pp. 367-372.
4 Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Road Rules) Regulation 2009 Sections 264(1), 265(3) & 266(1). www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/T/TrantOpRURR09.pdf. Accessed 06/02/15.
5 Transport Operations (Road Use Management—Road Rules) Regulation 2009 Section 266(2, 2A, 2B). www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/T/TrantOpRURR09.pdf. Accessed 06/02/15.
6 Department of Transport and Main Roads, Driver Behavior & Attitudes Study. Footprints Market Research March 2018.
7 Australian Academy of Science (2009). Nova Science in the News: Death-defying designs for car safety. http://www.nova.org.au/technology-future/death-defying-designs-car-safety. Accessed 06/02/15.

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