Police blitz: buckle up
A RECENT road safety operation undertaken by Queensland police has seen 45 people fined for not wearing seatbelts while driving in Logan.
As part of Operation Seatbelt 2013, police targeted motorists for failing to buckle up from Monday, February 24 until Sunday, March 10.
Senior Sergeant Scott Lacey from Springwood Police Station said he was surprised by the number of people who were caught without a seatbelt on.
"Statistically for this operation, we had 45 detections of seatbelt offences in the district," he said.
"That number was less than what we expected but that in itself is a good sign.
"From our perspective, we see that more people are now buckling up.
"The unfortunate thing is that we did have one fatal in that period of time."
The operation, which was held before the Easter holidays started, was a timely reminder of the importance for both motorists and passengers to fasten their seatbelt while in a vehicle.
With five people already killed on Logan roads this year so far, police are hoping no more lives will be taken during the upcoming holiday break.
If you are not wearing your seatbelt and are involved in a crash, you are increasing your risk of serious injury or death.
"Wearing a seatbelt should really be second nature when you get into a motor vehicle," Snr Sgt Lacey said.
"It is the responsibility of both drivers and passengers to ensure that they are always wearing their seatbelt because it can help save your life.
"If you are caught without your seatbelt on, it is a $330 fine and three demerit points."
Not wearing your seatbelt while in a vehicle is one of the five factors which contribute to road deaths.
The other four factors include speeding, drink driving, driving under the influence of drugs, fatigue as well as distraction and inattention, which was introduced last year.
Snr Srgt Lacey is pleading with all motorists to take care on the roads in the lead up to the Easter break and to avoid the fatal five.
Driver facts:
34 drivers were caught not wearing a seatbelt in the Logan district during Operation Seatbelt 2013
A total of $14,850 was handed out in fines
135 demerit points were lost across drivers
5 people have been killed on Logan roads in 2013.
