The Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos) has launched a day of action to address the habits of drivers and passengers in Scotland. Launched at the beginning of September to commemorate the 21st anniversary of the law demanding all back-seat child passengers wear a seatbelt, the day of action follows the 'Have You Clicked' campaign, which ran earlier in the year. Acpos hopes that the day of action will result in a greater number of drivers buckling up as Britain prepares for the end of summer.
According to Acpos, approximately 33 per cent of people who have been killed in collisions on British roads were not wearing seatbelts. It's further estimated that 50 per cent of fatalities could have been prevented had drivers and passengers worn seatbelts at the time of their accidents. Despite numerous awareness campaigns over the past decade or so, as many as 27,000 drivers every year are found not to be wearing their seatbelts after being checked by police. Driving or riding in a vehicle without a seatbelt is more than foolish – it is both reckless and selfish. Road traffic accident claims often describe incidents in which drivers, passengers or pedestrians have been killed or injured as a direct result of a failure to wear seatbelts. It is unclear how many personal injury claims have been brought against people who have broken the law on seatbelts, but drivers and passengers place themselves and others at serious risk when they choose not to wear seatbelts or when they allow children or other vehicle occupants to travel without such a basic level of protection.
Chief Superintendent Charlie Common, of the Lothian and Borders Police, is responsible for reducing casualties under Acpos. Mr Common said: "The number of people who are still not wearing a seatbelt is totally unacceptable and highlights that vehicle occupants are continuing to show a complete disregard for their own safety." Mr Common added: "It is equally of great concern that some drivers are putting the lives of their children at risk by allowing them to travel unrestrained." In illustration of the dangerous actions of some drivers, Mr Common described an incident that proved particularly troubling. Mr Common said: "During previous Acpos campaigns, incidents have been detected highlighting the situation. For example, in April, a 37-year-old driver was reported for carrying three children, all under five years of age, none of whom were properly restrained."
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