A confronting and graphic campaign urging South Australians to buckle was filmed last week before its expected launch in February.

The ads, filmed at Sellicks Beach and Alberton on Thursday and Friday 18 and 19 January, will show how rollovers and T-bones impact road users not using their seatbelts.

Not correctly wearing a seatbelt is one of the ‘Fatal Five’ causes of road trauma, alongside speeding, distractions, drink and drug driving, and dangerous road users.

In 2023, not wearing a seatbelt contributed to 10 per cent of deaths on South Australia’s roads, while nearly 3,000 people received fines.

The state government committed $98 million in last year’s Budget towards road safety initiatives, with a further $168 million joint package between the state and federal governments announced last month.

Last year 117 lives were lost on South Australian roads, while 856 people suffered serious injuries. To date, one life has been lost in 2024.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Joe Szakacs says it’s mind boggling that people are not wearing seatbelts when we know how effective they are at reducing trauma on our roads.

“This campaign will be graphic, and it will show you what is likely to happen if you don’t buckle up and are involved in a crash.

“We want to reduce road trauma and we’re hoping to shock people into action. It’s unacceptable to not be wearing a seatbelt - it can save your life.”

The Alberton film shoot caused some road drama itself, with one of the stunt vehicles crashing into a fence.