One in every seven people killed on regional roads last year was not wearing a seatbelt, Victoria Police say.
On what marks the 45th anniversary of the introduction of mandatory seatbelt laws, police are still warning drivers to buckle up.
Road Policing Command Super- intendent Michael Grainger said it was a tragedy to see so many needless deaths.
“We know country Victorians are three times more likely to be killed on the road than those living in metropolitan areas and we also know that the majority of people killed on country roads are locals,” Superintendent Grainger said.
“We need the community to do all it can to help reduce this trend, which is why I appeal for all drivers to remember to buckle up and make sure their passengers do the same,” he said.
“Seatbelts take two seconds to put on and halve the risk of serious injury or death.”
Twenty-one drivers or passengers who were not wearing seatbelts died in vehicle crashes in Victoria in 2013; last year the number was 14.
Drivers caught not wearing seatbelts or with passengers not wearing seatbelts face a fine of $295 and three demerit points.
“We don’t want to fine people for not wearing a seatbelt but, even more so, we don’t want to go to a crash where someone wasn’t wearing one,” Superintendent Grainger said.
“Save yourself the fine and buckle up – it could save your life.”
