SUVA, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Fiji has launched in June this year a nationwide seat belt awareness campaign to specifically raise awareness on fastening of seat belts to drivers and passengers including rear seated passengers.

This as Fiji's Land Transport Authority (LTA) issued 3,260 traffic infringement notices for people not wearing seat belts from January to June this year alone.

LTA Chief Executive Officer Samuel Simpson said Wednesday that while it is one of the safety provisions in cars designed to protect drivers and passengers from road collisions that can unexpectedly occur unfortunately, it is sad to note that so many drivers and passengers in Fiji have been booked for not wearing seat belts.

He said it is the duty of drivers to remind their passengers to fasten?up their seat belts upon boarding vehicles as well as adding this is particularly important for children seated in the rear of the vehicle.

According to the Fiji Decade of Action for Road Safety report 2011-2020, in Fiji on average, one person dies every week due to traffic accidents. These are tragedies which throw many families into despair and poverty.