“Using a seatbelt is one of the easiest and most effective ways to prevent death and reduce serious injury if you’re involved in a road crash. What seems like a small decision – whether to buckle up or not – can be the difference between life and death,” says Minister Papalia.
“Thank you to all Western Australians who understand the importance of seatbelts and for buckling up for almost 50 years.”
Full media statement from the Road Safety Minister can be found here.
Advertising campaign
2021 marks 50 years of compulsory seatbelts in WA. To all West Aussies who have been belting up since 1971, we applaud you.
The Road Safety Commission would love you to use and share any of the advertising and social media collateral produced for the 50 years of seatbelts campaign to help reduce death and serious injury on WA roads.
Television/digital video
Digital/social media
Extending the message to 50 years of child car seatbelts -
Seatbelt statistics
Since its inception as the Office of Road Safety, campaigns educating the community on the importance of wearing seatbelts have been in existence. And whilst Western Australians are being applauded for their compliance in the 50th year of seatbelt legislation in the state, our research suggests there is also room for improvement.
Recent statistics demonstrate young men, particularly those living in regional areas, are not buckling up, accounting for 22% of killed and seriously injured in 2020. Children aged 0-16, especially those living in remote areas, are also more likely to be killed or seriously injured in motor vehicle crashes where a seatbelt was not worn.
Check out our 50 years of seatbelts in Western Australia infographic below to see where we can improve.
