Wearing a seatbelt significantly improves your chances of surviving a crash.
The widespread use of seatbelts following legislation in the 1970s is regarded as having had a significant impact on the road toll, helping reduce this from over 3,382 deaths in 1968 to around 2,887 deaths per year 20 years later.
While wearing a seatbelt or restraint does not prevent a crash, it certainly can affect the outcome for individuals. Wearing a properly adjusted restraint reduces the risk of fatal or serious injury by 50%. In 2013, there were 271 fatalities and 6,921 hospitalised casualties on Queensland roads, of which 35 fatalities and 155 hospitalised casualties were known to have been unrestrained.
Smart restraint
Wear your seatbelt every time you are in your vehicle – even if you are only travelling a few kilometres. Most road crashes happen close to home because this is where you drive most frequently.
Make sure everyone in your car is safely restrained before moving your vehicle.
Make sure your seatbelts and child restraints are correctly fitted.
Visit jointhedrive.qld.gov.au/road-safety-week for more information and to Speak up for Road Safety.
Queensland Road Safety Week is a joint initiative of the Queensland Police Service and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
RACQ, the Motor Accident Insurance Commission, and the Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q), are proud supporters of the event.
