For immediate use
November 9 2009
Belt Up: VACC urges motorists to check the safety of seatbelts and restraints.
VACC, the peak Automotive Industry body in Victoria, is reminding motorists that new
road rules have come into effect and that it is the responsibility of every road user to
be familiar with them.
As part of its Vehicle Safety campaign, VACC is particularly keen to promote the new
road rules regarding seatbelts and restraints, which state “It is the responsibility of
the driver to ensure that all passengers in the car are wearing a seatbelt or a child
restraint. When all seatbelts or child restraints are used, no extra unrestrained
passengers are permitted in the vehicle”.
Each year about 20 percent of all car occupants killed in road crashes were not
wearing a seatbelt.
On average, nearly 300 children under the age of seven are injured or killed as
passengers in vehicles on Victorian roads each year.
“It is not only important for drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts and to have
children properly restrained, but it is important for the belts to be well maintained and
in good working order,” VACC Executive Director, David Purchase, said.
“The mechanism that controls the seatbelt is a complicated and highly sophisticated
one, and as such, must be regularly inspected by a professional.
“If motorists have any concerns about the functionality of their seatbelts and
restraints, they should get them checked immediately.
“Participating VACC repairers will check seatbelts as part of VACC’s Five Point
Safety Check, when a car is serviced. They will also check the brakes, tyres, lights
and steering, free of charge.
“VACC encourages all motorists to pay attention to vehicle safety. Too many vehicles
on Victoria’s roads are unsafe. VACC research has revealed that one-in-four vehicles
on our roads is unsafe. In a majority of cases, faults can be identified and rectified
when a vehicle is serviced. Therefore, regular servicing can help reduce your
chances of being involved in a road traffic accident.
“VACC urges drivers to ensure vehicles are well maintained and to read and
understand the new road rules,” Mr Purchase said.
For more information about the new road rules, visit: vicroads.vic.gov.au
Ends.
NEWS 
