Seatbelts and cellphones will be key focus for police this May

Police are warning people to stay off their phones while driving as part of Road Safety Week. Photo/File

Making sure drivers are not distracted by their phones and people are wearing seatbelts in vehicles will be a focus for police trying to keep roads safer this month.

Road safety Week started on May 7 with police extending it across the month of May.

Assistant Commissioner for road policing Sandra Venables said police would be focusing on ensuring people are wearing their seatbelts and drivers are not distracted.

"Road policing has four prevention priorities around behaviours we know contribute to death and injury on our roads – distracted driving, impaired driving, going too fast for the conditions, and not wearing seatbelts," Venables said.

"This month we're going to target seatbelts and cellphones, with all police being a part of this national operation.

"Almost a third of all people who die on our roads are not wearing seatbelts.

If they had taken the two seconds it takes to put a belt on they may still be here with their families today.

"In a car crash you don't have time to hit pause and put your belt on.

"It's something you need to do as soon as you get in your car.

"The other thing we see too much of is distracted driving. When you're driving, your focus should be on driving. Nothing else. Too many people are dying on our roads."

Lives are being lost which could have been saved.

"Our staff will be out there patrolling every day, as they always are.

"As a driver, you are responsible for everyone in the car getting to your destination safely, so focus on the task at hand."