Seat-belt survey shocks pupils

Press, 15 October 1982, Page 15

Seat-belt survey shocks pupils

; Christchurch motorists appear to be very lax about the Wearing of seat belts, according to a survey undertaken by pupils of Sacred Heart College. . Results from the survey show that almost a third of people travelling about Christchurch in cars do not wear seat belts. ; More than 1300 cars were surveyed in various parts of Christchurch e at different times during a week-end, and ft was found that in 500 cases passengers or drivers in cars did not wear seat belts. The survey was carried out by 28 members of the school’s third form who spent 30 minutes at an intersection near their homes counting cars and the frequency that seat belts were being worn. • The survey also included uie number of cars which did sot have some sort of restraint for children.

“We were most horrified to find quite a number of children in the front of cars without seat belts and quite a few actually standing on the back seat.’’ the survey said. Almost 250 cars were counted without a child restraint. “In one situation we noticed the presence of a traffic officer which resulted in the rapid doing-up of seat belts which were later undone.” The senior city traffic officer, Mr I. W. McLauchlan, said it was a commendable exercise and that it was good to have young people discussing road safety. “To improve road safety we need the co-operation of people, including young people,” he said. Mr McLauchlan said that he was always pleased to discuss these types of surveys with any school class.