'Belt Up' Targets Young Males

by Jumius Wong

May 18, 2007

A new road safety campaign starts tonight in Western Australia to try and encourage young drivers to ‘belt up.’

Last year, 41 people died on WA roads because they were not wearing seat belts – a figure which accounts for 28 per cent of all drivers and passengers killed in WA in 2006.

The majority of the 28 per cent were males aged between 17 and 39.

Office of Road Safety project officer Doug Baird, today said the campaign was a reminder to people to wear seat belts in all driving situations.

“The campaign is mainly aimed to instil awareness and to educate male drivers,” Mr Baird said.

“This campaign will be effective because it involves various mass media throughout the state,” he said.

Murdoch University student Natasha Reynolds, who has been driving for three years, said that while the purpose of the campaign was good, she was not too happy about the increased fines and demerit points.

“I think first time offenders should be issued a warning instead of the heavy penalty,” Ms Reynolds said today.

Offenders now face a $500 fine and four demerit points for a first offence, while passengers not wearing a seat belt, face a $500 fine.

Murdoch University student Tom Wayne, said both the campaign and the heavy penalty were good moves.

“The heavy penalties serve as a purpose to raise awareness [in] the community,” Mr Wayne said.