Police campaign – wear your seat belt

By timesecholife on in Uttoxeter news

POLICE have handed out 23 tickets to people not wearing seatbelts over the course of just six hours at the weekend.

Officers focused on road issues in East Staffordshire on Saturday, and reported more than 50 per cent of penalties were to people who were not wearing a seat belt.

The news follows an awareness campaign by the force, reminding people to ensure they wear seatbelts and ensure children are in adequate seats or restraints while in a car.

The team from Staffordshire Road Policing Unit turned their attention to East Staffordshire on Saturday and shared their thoughts on Twitter: “In the East Staffs area today and the offences have been shocking! “In less than six hours we have issued 46 tickets for a range of offences, over 50% for not wearing a seat belt. We have also seized three uninsured vehicles! Police car time for lates to take over the baton. #RPU #SaferRoads.”

On the spot fines for not wearing a seat belt will cost motorists £100, with a maximum £500 fine if prosecuted. Staffordshire Police has been sharing information around the law on seat belts as part of the #StandingUpForBeltingUp campaign.

As part of the awareness campaign, the force revealed that, in Staffordshire, 92% of those caught driving while not wearing a seat belt were men. It has been a legal requirement for drivers to wear seat belts for 30 years – and it is the driver’s responsibility to make sure children under 14 years of age are wearing their seat belt.

Children must use a child car seat or applicable restraint which is suitable for their weight and size and has been fitted correctly, until they are 12 or reach 135cm tall. They must then use a seat belt. Specially designed seat belts or child seats are available for children with disabilities or certain medical conditions and a doctor can issue an exemption certificate if a child is unable to use a seat belt or restraint due to a condition.

In the event of a crash, a person not wearing a seat belt is twice as likely to die. To find out more, visit www.staffordshire.police.uk.

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