Police launchcrack-down onusing seatbelts

And drivers and passengers found not to be wearing a seatbelt face fines of up to £500 or higher if the vehicle is involved in a collision.

Sussex Police’s Road Policing Unit is running the campaign alongside a Europe-wide campaign and in conjunction with the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership.

Chief Inspector Phil Nicholas of Sussex Police’s Road Policing Unit said: “There is evidence that people are less likely to use seatbelts on short of familiar journeys. By doing this they are placing themselves at risk of serious injury in a collision.

This month, Sussex Police is joining with other forces around the country in offering educational courses for some road offences.

The ‘Your Belt - Your Life’ seatbelt educational course is being launched in Sussex to coincide with the enforcement campaign. The course will be offered to people as an alternative to a fine for not wearing a seatbelt. It is run as an online course or via a workbook sent to homes. It costs £36 as an alternative to a £60 fine for not wearing a seatbelt.