Description Comments

“Do You Want To Stay Alive?”

Object type

Image

More Info →

Description: This image was published in the May 21st, 1978, edition of the Tribune weekly newspaper.

An excerpt from the article read: “Palmerston North's Pat Kelliher is buckling up for road safety - and he and the Ministry of Transport want thousands of other motorists to do the same. A national campaign to promote the use of seat belts has started, and will continue until June 15, although normal enforcement of traffic regulations will extend beyond that. Traffic officers will be enforcing the seat belt law more stringently, and motorists will be constantly reminded about using their seat belts through television and newspaper publicity. "Like many people, I first regarded the introduction of the law, making seat belt-wearing compulsory, as an infringement on the rights of the individual," Mr Kelliher said. "But I've since realised that it's a matter of whether you want to stay alive or not. "We are all prone to think an accident will never happen to us but we won't have time to put the belt on before it happens. It's better to put the belt on before you start your journey, He said that most hospitals have reported a drop in the number of ‘pulped’ accident victims who are admitted to their wards, since the introduction of the compulsory seat belt wearing requirement.”

This image forms part of the Manawatū Evening Standard Negative Collection. Unfortunately, only negatives between April and December 1978 are held.

Pat Kelliher was a Palmerston North City Councillor in 1955-1968 and 1970-1986. He was received an inaugural Palmerston North Civic award in 1986 for his 35 years’ service to the city, including chairing the Civil Defence Committee, holding the position of Controller for 10 years. He was awarded a Queen’s Service Medal in 1985 for services to local-body and community affairs.