A new hard-hitting campaign launched by The Scottish Government and Road Safety Scotland is urging drivers in Glasgow to wear a seatbelt and warns that not wearing one could cost them their lives – having a devastating impact on the loved ones they leave behind.
Figures show 13 per cent of those killed on Scotland’s roads over the last five years were not wearing a seatbelt. Despite this, new research reveals that one in nine drivers in the Glasgow area always drive a car without wearing a seatbelt.
Drivers surveyed feel that drink-driving, drug-driving, using a phone while driving, driving while fatigued and driving aggressively are all ‘riskier’ than not wearing a seatbelt while driving. Passengers not wearing a seatbelt was seen as ‘risky’ by just 27 per cent.
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Minister for Transport Jenny Gilruth said: "Road safety is a priority for the Scottish Government and we know wearing a seatbelt is an important factor in reducing injuries and saving lives on our roads.
"Not wearing your seatbelt can have serious consequences – for the driver, the passengers and for friends and family left behind if the worst happens. Make sure you wear your seatbelt - even on short journeys. It's not just you who gets hurt."
Chief Superintendent Louise Blakelock, Head of Road Policing, said: "We urge drivers in Glasgow to wear their seatbelts during every journey. Wearing a seatbelt is not a choice, it's the law and the evidence is clear that seatbelts save lives; it’s not just you that could get hurt if you don’t. Officers will focus on detecting those drivers and passengers not wearing a seatbelt. Enforcement action will be taken and those caught could be fined up to £500. We are also reminding drivers that it is their responsibility to ensure all passengers under 14 years of age wear a seatbelt and they can be fined for every child not properly restrained.”
Running across TV, cinema, radio, digital and outdoor channels, the hard-hitting campaign underlines that a collision without a seatbelt doesn't just hurt you, it can also be devastating for those you leave behind.
Set in a testing facility, the new ad features a car with a crash test dummy - not wearing a seatbelt - in the driver's seat. As the car starts to drive towards a wall, the camera pans away from the impact and focuses on the effects on the driver's family as they deal with their grief. A crash test dummy family are seen sitting at a dinner table with an empty seat poignantly left for their lost family member as the final line appears: 'It's not just you who gets hurt. Wear a seatbelt.'
For more information go to roadsafety.scot or the Road Safety Scotland Facebook and Twitter (@roadsafetyscot) pages.
