Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Seat belts now compulsory in Wallis

Posted at 21:40 on 07 January, 2013 UTC

Wallis and Futuna has become the last French Pacific territory to make it mandatory for drivers and front seat passengers to wear seat belts.

The decision was made last year but the regulation has only come into effect now.

Flouting the new regulations can incur a fine of just over 50 US dollars.

France adopted a seat belt law in 1973, three years after the Australian state of Victoria had become the first jurisdiction to do so.