I AM stunned. I really find it hard to believe in the year 2009 that Hastings drivers are still not wearing seatbelts and child passengers are not properly restrained.
Police must be so frustrated that a message as simple as this is being ignored or not getting through.
If an adult driver
is stupid enough not to understand the importance of wearing a seatbelt, fine them until they understand its seriousness.
For those motorists who don't secure their children in vehicles properly, throw the book at them.
Seatbelts simply save lives.
It is the parents' duty to protect their children. How difficult can it be to buckle-up a child?
As the police operation says: "It only takes a second."
And that second can be the difference between life, death or permanent injury.
At times it can be distracting enough to have children in the car but to have them moving or flailing around is ridiculous.
If parents are unsure, advice is available.
I remember times, as a new parent, when my daughter didn't want to be buckled into her car seat.
Arching her back and crying made it difficult. It was frustrating struggling with a toddler in a hot car on a hot day but the alternative was unthinkable.
As the police say, it is a task that does not really require any effort, just a second of your time. And what a valuable second that could be for you and your family.
Thumbs up: To Warren Ropiha, who was named the forestry modern apprentice of the year at the National Training Awards.
Both his employer and the judges were full of praise - well done.
