It's a grim reminder as we approach the festive season, that despite the number of fatalities on our roads seemingly set to hit a record annual low, the need for vigilance is constant.
Superintendent Paula Rose, the national manager of road policing, is naturally disappointed at the results and felt drivers understood the danger but simply could not be bothered adjusting their driving practices.
She's hit the nail on the head but just acknowledging the problem isn't enough.
To an extent, the cellphone issue can be understood - it's not an excuse, but the law has only been in place for two years, a relatively short space of time in which to change people's habits.
The seatbelt situation is more problematic. There's been no shortage of money, thought and advertising think-tanks thrown at getting people to buckle up.
Until this recent result, it appeared all the efforts were paying off.
A general consensus existed among road safety authorities that while some adults were still a bit lax, campaigns aimed at the younger generation such as the McDonald's "Make It Click" promotion were having success to the point where children in particular had adopted seatbelt usage as an ingrained habit, whenever they were in a motor vehicle; surely the desired outcome.
But now police will be worried and rightfully so.
Seatbelt use mitigates against worst-case-scenario outcomes from mistakes of judgment or control by drivers.
It's a backstop, one which saves lives.
That's why seatbelt use is so important, why drivers need to lift their game and why police need to renew their efforts to ensure those that don't get the message are swiftly apprehended.
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