Seatbelts

Seatbelts save lives

We have partnered with the Western Australia Police Force, Department of Fire and Emergency Services and St John WA to create the Seatbelts save lives campaign.

This campaign raises awareness that people are dying in crashes not wearing seatbelts. People who may have otherwise survived.

First responders Carla, Emma and Clinton provide a candid insight into the true impact of not wearing a seatbelt when a crash occurs – from the point-of-view of those first on the scene of a crash. If you see what they see, it would just click that seatbelts save lives.

Correct usage of seatbelts

Buckling your seatbelt is one of easiest ways to protect drivers and passengers in a vehicle.

• Always ensure your seatbelt is properly adjusted and securely fastened.
• The sash should be placed over the middle of the shoulder and diagonally across the chest.
• The lap belt should sit snugly over the hips.
• Never share a seatbelt with a child on your lap.
• Children aged up to at least seven years must be restrained in an appropriate child car restraint.

Avoid old or worn restraints that are more than 10 years old or have previously been in a crash. Ensure your child car restraint has been correctly installed in your vehicle. 

For more, see our Seatbelts In-Depth Information Sheet or Seatbelts FAQ.

For information on the appropriate child car restraint for your child, where to access Type 1 and Type 2 Child Car Restraint Fitters around the state, and children in on-demand transport, visit our page for parents and carers.

Offences and Penalties

Drivers must ensure that passengers travelling in their vehicle are appropriately restrained. Please note: an inappropriately restrained passenger (for example, a young child wearing a seatbelt instead of child car restraint) is considered an unrestrained passenger in the table below.