Motorists who refuse to wear seatbelts are to be targetted in the annual October bank holiday road safety campaign, which starts today.
Mr Alan Richardson, Acting Chief Executive of the National Safety Council, said Ireland still falls behind best practice countries.
"Despite a rise in seatbelt wearing in this country in recent years, 84 per cent of car drivers and front seat passengers wear their seatbelt and only 46 per cent of rear seat passengers are restrained," Mr Richardson said at the launch of the Arrive Alive campaign this morning.
According to the NSC, three out of four people will be killed or seriously injured in a 30 mph crash if they don't wear their seatbelt.
The head of the Garda National Traffic Bureau, Chief Supt John Farrelly said the Garda would be concentrating on seatbelt wearing especially among passengers.
"Life should never be taken for granted, but so many people do just that each time they get into a vehicle as a passenger and especially behind the wheel," Chief Supt Farrelly added.
He reminded drivers they face up to four penalty points and a fine of up to €800 if convicted in court for failing to wear a seatbelt or for not ensuring passengers under 17 are adequately restrained. Any passengers aged 17 and over, detected for not wearing a seatbelt, are also liable to an on the spot fine of €25.
In their safety guide the NSC reminded drivers to travel at the appropriate speeds, not to drink and drive, wear a seatbelt, and to expect the unexpected especially in bad weather.
Last year six people were killed and 87 injured over the October Bank Holiday weekend. In the first 9 months of this year 295 people have been killed on Irish roads, 44 more than last year.
