Belt up next week or get fined
Friday, 12th February 2010.
Motorists and passengers who do not wear seatbelts are to be targeted in a countywide police crackdown.
Next week, February 15-21, as part of a European seatbelt enforcement campaign, officers across Suffolk will be carrying out high visibility patrols and clamping down on anyone not wearing a seatbelt or not using the appropriate child restraints.
The enforcement campaign is coinciding with a new THINK! Campaign running throughout February, which includes TV and radio advertising in
a bid to encourage people to wear seatbelts on all types of journeys.
Failing to wear a seatbelt remains one of the main causation factors of fatal and serious injury collisions.
Someone in a crash at just 30 mph will be thrown forward with a force of between 30 and 60 times their body weight. Seatbelts reduce this force and consequently reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
Chief Inspector Mike Bacon from the Roads Policing Unit said: “It is difficult to understand why people don’t wear seatbelts. It is a simple task that should be part of a routine before starting up a vehicle and can mean the difference between life and death.
"Regardless of the length of the journey both drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt. Any motorist not wearing one can expect to be stopped and prosecuted.”
Motorists caught without a seatbelt will be given an instant fixed penalty notice of £60 and could face a fine of up to £500.
During a similar enforcement campaign, which ran in the same week last year, Suffolk Police issued 235 fixed penalty notices, equating to nearly 34 per day.
The forthcoming campaign will start at 6pm on Monday and finish at 6pm the following Sunday.
Next week, February 15-21, as part of a European seatbelt enforcement campaign, officers across Suffolk will be carrying out high visibility patrols and clamping down on anyone not wearing a seatbelt or not using the appropriate child restraints.
The enforcement campaign is coinciding with a new THINK! Campaign running throughout February, which includes TV and radio advertising in
a bid to encourage people to wear seatbelts on all types of journeys.
Failing to wear a seatbelt remains one of the main causation factors of fatal and serious injury collisions.
Someone in a crash at just 30 mph will be thrown forward with a force of between 30 and 60 times their body weight. Seatbelts reduce this force and consequently reduce the risk of serious injury or death.
Chief Inspector Mike Bacon from the Roads Policing Unit said: “It is difficult to understand why people don’t wear seatbelts. It is a simple task that should be part of a routine before starting up a vehicle and can mean the difference between life and death.
"Regardless of the length of the journey both drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt. Any motorist not wearing one can expect to be stopped and prosecuted.”
Motorists caught without a seatbelt will be given an instant fixed penalty notice of £60 and could face a fine of up to £500.
During a similar enforcement campaign, which ran in the same week last year, Suffolk Police issued 235 fixed penalty notices, equating to nearly 34 per day.
The forthcoming campaign will start at 6pm on Monday and finish at 6pm the following Sunday.
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