More men need to belt up

A Ministry of Transport (MoT) survey shows most Kiwis wear safety belts when in the front seat, with a significant increase in rates over the past 10 years – from 94 to 97 per cent nationwide. It also shows usage has increased in some regions, such as Auckland, Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke’s Bay, Manawatu, Wellington, Canterbury and Otago. But rates have decreased in Waikato, Taranaki and West Coast, with Northland, Nelson-Marlborough-Tasman and Southland showing no significant change. The increase in using seatbelts is mirrored by a drop in fatalities. In 2013, there were 37 deaths in which the occupant was unrestrained during crashes compared with 83 in 2004. There is still a small percentage of people not buckling up, with the survey showing men are less likely to do so than women. Ninety-seven per cent of male drivers and 94 per cent of male front-seat passengers were observed wearing belts compared with 98 per cent of female drivers and passengers. “It is a concern more than one-in-20 male passengers aren’t wearing belts,” says Leo Mortimer, the MoT’s manager of land transport safety. “Wearing a safety belt is a road-safety basic and should be second nature to anyone travelling in a vehicle. “A responsible driver should ensure they and their passengers are wearing belts. Not only is it a legal requirement for drivers and passengers to be restrained, but it may save their lives.” About 20 lives a year could be saved if belts were always worn.