It is one of the first things that people need to do when they get into a car, but data shows that an alarming number of motorists are ignoring one of the most fundamental car safety measures — wearing a seatbelt.
Data from a Victorian government inquiry into road safety behaviours found that 6,597 advisory letters were sent out to drivers for seatbelt offences — either not wearing a seatbelt at all or wearing one incorrectly — over a three-month span from April to June.
The offences were captured using new camera technology that can check if motorists are using a phone and wearing seatbelts while driving.
Seatbelts have been mandatory in Victoria since 1970.
But Transport Accident Commission chief executive Tracey Slatter said the number of people not wearing seatbelts properly was frightening.
“I think most of us are bewildered that after 53 years of seatbelts being mandated in Victoria, and with the knowledge that we all have of how seatbelts save lives, that in this day anyone could be making the decision to not put their seatbelt on or not wear it properly,” she said.
“Seatbelts are an absolute critical line of defence if you are involved in a transport accident … Having that seatbelt on will save your life.”
Ms Slatter said 22 people who died on Victoria’s roads this year were not wearing a seatbelt — about a quarter of driver and passenger deaths this year where the seatbelt status is known.
According to data from the TAC, more than 130 people have died while not wearing a seatbelt over the past five years.
More than 80 per cent of those killed were male, with 65 per cent of deaths occurring in regional Victoria.
Victoria Police said it issued a total of 7,367 seatbelt-related offences in 2022 and 6,236 offences in 2021.
The penalty in Victoria for not wearing a seatbelt is a $385 fine and three demerit.
