Drivers ignoring seat belt laws

A total of 578 people were stopped as part of a week long campaign targeting people who choose not to wear seatbelts.

The Sussex Police Road Policing Unit run the campaign alongside a Europe-wide campaign and in conjunction with the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership.

Covert and overt mobile and static checks were carried out throughout the week. A total of 578 people were stopped for not wearing their seatbelts, including five children. Offenders were given £60 fines.

Sergeant Phil Duffy of Sussex Police’s Road Policing Unit said: “This year we stopped an increased number of people who were not wearing a seatbelt.

“Seatbelts save lives and Sussex Police is committed to keeping people safe on the county’s roads. A concerted effort has been made by officers to target drivers and their passengers who are not wearing a seatbelt.

“However, it is disappointing to see that people continue to flout the law.

“Although last week’s campaign has now ended we enforce seatbelt use throughout the year. If you don’t use your seatbelt without good reason you can expect to be stopped.”

Neil Hopkins, Communications Manager for the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, said: “Not wearing a seatbelt is one of what’s known as the Fatal Four, including drinking and driving, speeding and using a mobile phone behind the wheel, - all actions with potentially deadly consequences.

“I hope that the fines received by the persons stopped for not wearing a seatbelt will cause them to change their behaviour in the future and be an example to others around them.”