This year is the fortieth anniversary of the mandatory wearing of seatbelts in Tasmania, Road Safety Advisory Council Chair Jim Cox said today.

“Hundreds, if not thousands of lives have been saved because of wearing a seatbelt. Yet, one in 10 people killed or seriously injured on Tasmania’s roads are because people aren’t wearing one.”

And it isn’t just adults who should be buckled up. Children should be in properly installed booster seats.

Seatbelts and booster seats are the focus of the first day of Road Safety Week.

Acting Police Commander Doug Rossiter said police throughout the state today would be paying particular attention to seatbelts.

“The penalty for not wearing a seatbelt is $300 and 3 demerit points, but the real penalty could be a life or a serious injury.”

If you, or someone you know has been affected by road trauma, and would like help, please contact Road Trauma Support Tasmania on 0427 487 251.