05/11/2004 00:00
TW
0
By Humphrey Carter HERE in the Balearics we have one of the highest road death tolls in Spain, we are also one of the regions where drivers least wear their seat belt. Last month, the Traffic Department carried out a nationwide seatbelt control and, in the Balearics, one in ten drivers were caught failing to buckle up, making the region the third biggest offender in Spain. Only in Almeria and Cadiz do more drivers ignore the seatbelt law.


Nevertheless, the study has discovered that 90 percent of drivers in the Balearics buckle up, the national average is nevertheless 97.5 percent. “Don't go out without it” is the slogan of the new campaign and police traffic chief are, in general, encouraged by the driving public's response.
Last year, for example, 17.5 percent of drivers and passengers involved in a traffic accident were killed. This year, because more and more are buckling up, that figure has dropped to 2.4 percent. The seatbelt laws apply in and out of town. Failing to comply with the law will result in an on-the-spot fine of 91 euros. During the spot check campaign, 383'852 vehicles were checked and a total of 13'003 fines handed out across Spain.