POLICE have affirmed the requirement for passengers of all vehicles, including taxis and multi-cabs, to wear a seatbelt.

The warning follows a collision on Saturday night involving a car and a maxi-cab which left a 24-year-old female in a critical condition, and other passengers with minor injuries.

“The impact of this collision caused the driver of the taxi to lose control of the vehicle before it veered across a median island and struck a street light pole,” acting superintendent of Traffic Operations Rod Anderson said.

“In this instance, three of the four passengers were not wearing their seatbelt and the seriousness of the collision has caused considerable damage.

“Regardless of the vehicle you are travelling in, seatbelts are a proven safety device and can greatly reduce the chance of being killed or seriously injured in a collision.

“Not only is it the law for passengers to wear their seatbelts but drivers too face penalties if their passengers are not wearing seatbelts.”

As part of its ongoing traffic enforcement campaign, police focused on seatbelts in March and caught more than 50 people not wearing the safety restraint. Canberrans who don’t have a seatbelt properly fastened could face a $353 fine plus three demerit points.