Western Bay of Plenty police are shocked by the number of children in the region who are not being properly restrained in vehicles.
Acting senior sergeant Mark Holmes says a survey carried out by the Ministry of Transport revealed the Western Bay has fallen below the national average for child restraint compliance.

Police working at a checkpoint in Papamoa where they are checking motorists' use of seatbelts and restraints.

He says the national average is 91 per cent but in the Western Bay the compliance rate has fallen to 79 per cent.
'Young children are extremely vulnerable in motor vehicles. Using a seatbelt costs nothing and could save a life.”