Campaign For Safety Belts In Cars?

Press, Volume C, Issue 29498, 27 April 1961, Page 22

Campaign For Safety Belts In Cars?

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON. April 26. A campaign for the Introduction and widespread use of safety belts in motor-vehicles could be the next major attack on New Zealand’s road toll. This subject will be discussed at the half-yearly meeting of the New Zealand Road Safety Council in Wellington on May 4. A report by the Commissioner of Transport (Mr A. E. Forsyth) surveying all aspects of safety belts—and how their widespread use could be encouraged—was discussed in detail recently by the -motor vehicles subcommittee of the council. Its recommendation will go forward to the council meeting for decision and recommendation to the Government.

Road deaths and injuries from motor accidents could be substantially reduced by the widespread use of safety belts, in the opinion of the 1960 International Road Safety Congress, the report said. There was a great deal of evidence to support this opinion as a result of wide experience and practical tests in America and Sweden.

In 1957, 900 persons were killed in traffic accidents in Sweden. After a widespread publicity campaign urging the use of safety belts, the number of deaths was reduced to 700 in 1959. “An examination of New Zealand inquest proceedings after the deaths of 100 occupants of motor vehicles indicates that 27 may not have died had they been wearing safety belts,” the report says. “Experience in Sweden has shown that it is not necessary to make the fitting and wearing of seat belts compulsory to ensure their adoption. Already, about 50 per cent, of all cars are fitted with them, and in those cars the belts are actually used by 80 per cent, of occupants.”

The best-selling make of car in Sweden had safety belts as standard equipment,

the report said. In Britain, one make had belts fitted as standard equipment, while others provided them as optional extras.

It appeared that most cars manufactured in the United States in 1962 would be equipped with safety belt anchorages as standard fittings.

The New Zealand Standards Institute had been asked to examine overseas standards to determine whether one of these could be adopted as a New Zealand standard, and. if not. to prepare such a standard. The commissioner’s report also said that there had been suggestions that seat belts might prevent persons in a vehicle on fire, or under water, from escaping.

It had been found, however, that persons using a safety belt were more likely to stay conscious after an accident, and were therefore more likely to be able to escape. A properly designed belt could be .released in an instant with only one hand.