Horotiu Fatal Crash Highlights The Need For Seatbelts
New Zealand Police National News Release
8:19am 30 March 2009
http://www.police.govt.nz/news/release.html?id=4969

Seat belts and car restraints save lives and Waikato Police say anyone doubting their importance should look at the last two fatal crashes on the Districts roads for proof.

Acting Waikato Road Policing Manager, Senior Sergeant Tim Anderson, said a Hamilton man was killed in a smash on SH1 at Horotiu on Friday night when he was thrown from his overturned car.

"The 68-year-old, John Dennis GODSIFF of Hamilton, was not wearing his seatbelt while his wife who was remained in the car and though seriously injured, survived.

"Last week the parents of a boy tragically killed on SH39 when a truck crossed the centreline and struck their 4x4 publicly credited a properly secured car restraint as being instrumental in the survival of his two-year-old brother."

Mr Anderson said both crashes were avoidable tragedies that people could learn from.

"It's a two second job to make your belt click, it's that simple.

"Currently we're running a joint under fives car restraint campaign with ACC, despite wide publication of the SH39 crash staff manning the checkpoints are still encountering large numbers of unrestrained children- it's simply not good enough."

Friday evening's crash brings the Waikato Police District's road toll to 10 compared to 12 for the same period last year.

ENDS

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