Police across Auckland are teaming up with Auckland Transport and Plunket to ensure road users are buckled up, and that children and babies are correctly restrained.
Counties Manukau, Waitemata and Auckland City Districts will be running operations starting from tomorrow (8 June 2016) and continuing throughout the month.
Maori wardens will also assist Counties Manukau Police staff.
As part of the Waitemata operation, Police will partner with Auckland Transport to monitor and identify in real time, drivers and passengers not wearing their seatbelts in a concerted effort to change this risky behaviour.
National Manager Road Policing, Superintendent Steve Greally says in 2015 there were 92 deaths associated with non-restraint use.
“That is 92 families whose lives will never be the same. This is not about tickets, this is about ensuring that no one else loses a loved one because they weren’t wearing a seatbelt.”
Ministry of Transport data shows that wearing a seat belt reduces your chance of death or serious injury in a crash by 40 percent. Regardless of whether you sit in the front or the back seat, the risk of serious or fatal injury is virtually the same.
Auckland Transport will be assisting Police at the roadside, handing out prevention material and having conversations with motorists about the importance of ensuring you, and your friends and family are correctly restrained in a vehicle.
Road safety manager Michael Brown says, “Auckland Transport fully support this initiative as recent research provides evidence that surviving a crash can be as simple as wearing a safety belt.”
“People need to listen to the evidence – seat belts save lives, it’s that simple.” says Mr Greally.
ENDS
Media Contact: Shelley Nahr – 021 595 562