Police are appealing to drivers this holiday season not to become complacent and ensure everyone in their vehicle is wearing a properly fitted seatbelt. Did you know that the driver is held accountable for any passengers who are not correctly restrained, regardless of their age?

Recent statistics show that in Tasmania in the last year a number of road deaths were contributed to by an occupant failing to wear their seatbelt, or wearing it incorrectly? A number of these crashes were regarded as ‘survivable crashes’ if the person had been wearing a seatbelt, or had worn it correctly.

All children from newborn to 7 are required to be restrained in either an approved, age appropriate, child restraint or an approved booster seat secured by a correctly adjusted and fastened seatbelt.

In addition to this, there are specific laws about where children can sit in vehicles. Children aged 4 -7 years should not be in the front seat of a vehicle, unless the other passengers in the back are under 7 also.

Children under four years cannot travel in the front seat of a vehicle, unless it only has one row, for example a ute, and they must wear an age appropriate device.

The penalty for failing to ensure a child aged under 16 years wears a child restraint or seat belt as required, is three demerit points and $357 fine. The penalty for a driver failing to ensure any other passenger is wearing a seatbelt is $318 and three demerit points.

A passenger 17 years or over, also incurs their own fine also of $318 if they fail to wear a seatbelt.

RACT can assist you with correctly fitting a restraint.

For more information go to www.transport.tas.gov.au/roadsafety/people/carseats or contact Community Policing on 6777 3998.