Operation Options | changing attitudes for safer journeys
Main article content
Did you know?
In the event of a collision, you’re twice as likely to die if you don’t wear a seatbelt; with drivers and passengers aged 17-34 having the lowest seat belt-wearing rates, combined with the highest accident rate.*
During Global Road Safety Week, we’re running Operation Options sessions with South Wales Fire and Rescue Service to highlight the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt when driving.
The sessions allow us to engage those drivers and passengers who break the law by not wearing their seatbelts.
Offending road users are offered the option of either accepting a fine for the offence, or attending an educational input, delivered by the fire service, which lasts approximately 15 minutes.
Drivers and passengers caught failing to wear a seatbelt face an on-the-spot fine of £100, and, if prosecuted, can face a maximum fine of £500.*
Sergeant Simon Austin, Gwent Police’s GoSafe co-ordinator said:
“We are committed to tackling the risks to our communities which non-wearing of seatbelts poses to all road users. We will be focusing on the Torfaen area during Global Road Safety Week, and would encourage and urge everyone to wear their seatbelts when travelling in a motor vehicle, and ensure it is the first thing you do after getting in.”
Teresa Ciano, GoSafe Partnership Manager said:
“No matter how short or familiar the journey, always wear your seatbelt; it could save your life. To the minority of road users who don’t wear a seatbelt, if they are caught during the duration of the campaign we would encourage these road users to take the opportunity of the educational provision from the fire service, where they will hopefully learn to make safety by choice, not by chance on future journeys.
“Outside of this campaign, GoSafe will also deal with people who don’t wear a seatbelt who are seen by one of our Casualty Reduction Officers or through submissions made by the public through Operation SNAP.”
Nev Thomas, South Wales Fire and Rescue Service said:
“The number of fatalities and serious life-changing injuries on Welsh roads is tragic. At South Wales Fire and Rescue Service we see first-hand the impact and effect each incident has on our communities.
“By utilising our resources and working with our partners at Gwent Police and South Wales Police, we use Options events as a way to educate and inform our communities and prevent accidents and injuries and ultimately reduce the number of incidents on our roads.
“Our safety presentation aims to highlight the importance of wearing a seat belt, even on short, familiar journeys, and how it can be the difference between life and death.”
Enforcement is but one of the tools at our disposal as we work to make Welsh roads safer.
If we can educate road users and change attitudes on the roads then we can reduce the level of offences and increase the safety of all road users.
Through delivering Operation Options we aim to educate both drivers and passengers on the risks of not wearing a seatbelt and change behaviours and attitudes of those offenders; the choice and option will be in the hands of the offenders.
Make the safe choice – the right choice – and play your part in making our roads safer.