Continued ignorance persists in the repetition of a lethal seatbelt error
In a bid to improve road safety, Australia is introducing innovative measures to combat the persistent issue of non-seatbelt use. The latest development sees the trial of advanced road-safety cameras in Melbourne, capable of detecting mobile phone use and seatbelt violations.
The move comes nearly five decades after the Victorian Parliamentary Road Safety Committee recommended compulsory seatbelt wearing, legislation for which was passed in December 1970, effective from New Year's Day 1971. The mandate led to a significant reduction in the road toll, with a fall of almost 10 per cent in 1971.
However, despite the mandatory use of seatbelts, non-compliance remains a concern. Statistics show that, on average, 23 car occupants are killed each year in the last five years who were not wearing seatbelts. In the last year, 31 out of 266 people killed in car crashes were not wearing seatbelts.
The consequences of not wearing a seatbelt can be severe. In a side-impact crash, for instance, the driver and passenger can hit head-to-head or head-to-shoulder with tremendous force, causing significant head, neck, and chest injuries. In a frontal crash, an unrestrained driver's chest hits the steering wheel with enormous force, and the head hits the top of the steering wheel, windscreen, and A-pillar.
To address this issue, Australia has implemented several strategies. One such strategy involves the deployment of AI-driven enforcement cameras, which are being widely deployed, such as in Victoria. These cameras, equipped with AI technology, can capture violations with high-resolution images at any time and in various conditions, automatically flagging offenses like non-seatbelt use for further review by officers.
Another strategy is the introduction of stricter penalties, including fines up to $2,200, licence suspensions, and potential disqualifications for offenses including seatbelt non-compliance. Authorities also target passenger seatbelt compliance by holding drivers accountable if their passengers fail to wear seatbelts, as seen in New South Wales where drivers may lose demerit points due to passenger non-compliance.
Public education and legal measures are also being employed to raise awareness and change attitudes about seatbelt importance. Road safety education programs further support this effort. Recent updates to Australia’s Road Rules emphasise consistent enforcement across states, with mandated safety audits and regular medical fitness checks for certain driver categories.
Despite these measures, non-seatbelt use persists due to human factors like distraction, complacency, or resistance to regulation. However, the integration of real-time AI monitoring and significant penalties represents a modern approach to addressing longstanding road safety challenges associated with seatbelt use in Australia.
The tragic reality in 1969 was 1034 annual road deaths, which prompted the launch of the 'Declare War on 1034' campaign in Melbourne. Today, seatbelt reminders that respond to weight on a car seat are available for all seats in a vehicle, and non-seatbelt use was a factor in as many as 35 to 40 per cent of Victorian road deaths in the late 1990s and early 2000s, and now hovers around 20 per cent.
With the deployment of AI-driven enforcement cameras and stricter penalties, it is hoped that Australia can continue to make progress in reducing road fatalities and promoting safer driving habits.
Science and health-and-wellness are inextricably linked in Australia's road safety improvements, as the integration of AI technology in monitoring seatbelt usage aims to mitigate the incidence of severe injuries and fatalities, promoting the overall health and wellness of road user populations. The effective enforcement of seatbelt laws through advanced technology and stricter penalties is a key strategy in improving the health outcomes of those involved in road accidents.
