94 people who died on NZ roads last year would still be alive if they were wearing their seatbelt
In the last five years, over 300 people who died in New Zealand crashes were not wearing their seat belt.
Most of those deaths were in 2016.
The Herald, partnered by the New Zealand Police has launched Belt Up - a four day series about seatbelt safety aiming to raise awareness and improve safety for all Kiwis on our roads.
Police say many of the 93 people who died in crashes last year while not properly restrained, could have survived had they been wearing a seatbelt.
But last January he made the deadly decision to drive without a seatbelt and he stood no chance when his car rolled onto its roof near Dunedin Airport.
What haunts his parents most is the life Trotter is missing out on.
Based on the average life expectancy of Kiwi men, Pauline and John Trotter estimated their beloved son has been robbed of at least 55 years.
"Nobody ever wants to bury their children, but some of the decisions they make in life, that's what happens," his father said.
Pauline Trotter said her son's death had "broken" their family and turned his brother Ben's life "upside down".
When the boys were younger she insisted on seatbelts in the car, and they never argued.
"But that particular day Andre chose not to wear one," she said, breaking into sobs.
"No matter how much you try as a parent to educate them to wear their seatbelt, as they get older it becomes a choice... time and time again we try and get this message through to our children - in Andre's case only he will know why he didn't that day."
Andre Trotter died in January 2016 last year in a crash. He was not wearing a seatbelt. Photograph supplied
Trotter was a young man with the ability to light up a room, his parents said.
He was cheeky, positive and had a great sense of humour.
He was a keen sportsman, described by mates as a "lovable rascal" and a "lads' lad".
The family often think about what Trotter will miss out on in that 55 years of life he will never have.
A wedding, a marriage, children, grandchildren.
"I was looking forward to all of that," his mother said.
Andre Trotter was a loved son, brother and mate. Photograph supplied
Trotter's parents spoke out about his death in a bid to educate others, and hopefully convince people to take the time to belt up and save their lives.
"There was no excuse for Andre not to be wearing his seatbelt," Pauline Trotter said.
"He was always taught to wear it, it's not like he had parents who didn't care less - in fact, I was paranoid about it."
