‘You’re twice as likely to die in a car crash if you are not wearing a seatbelt. We think that is a reason enough to belt up’

Crackdown as 3,600 drivers in the county were caught not wearing a seatbelt between 2017 and 2021...

POLICE are reminding drivers to belt up – as they embark on an operation to tackle motorists who don’t wear a seatbelt.

The crackdown got underway on Monday with the force’s road policing unit looking out for those not strapping in.

And Staffordshire Police say they have seen a rise in children being in the back of a car without a seatbelt on. That comes as the force has revealed how officers reported 3,600 incidents between 2017 and 2021 where a driver was not using a seatbelt in the county.

Now officers have issued a plea to motorists to belt up – and help prevent the amount of people who are injured as a result of not using a seatbelt. The crackdown – part of the force’s ongoing road safe initiative, Operation Lightning – will run until Sunday, June 26.

Sergeant Tom Watson, of the force’s road policing unit, below, said: “Seatbelts are designed to keep you in your seat, and prevent or reduce injuries suffered in a crash. They ensure that as little contact as possible is made between you and vehicle interior and significantly reduce the risk of you being thrown from a vehicle.

“You’re twice as likely to die in a car crash if you’re not wearing a seatbelt. We think that is a reason enough to belt up when driving.” The force has reminded drivers that it is illegal to not wear a seatbelt, regardless of whether people are travelling in the front or back of a vehicle. If spotted, individuals face an on-the-spot fine of £100. If prosecuted, they may face a fine of up to £500.

Sergeant Watson added: “Most drivers and passengers are sensible and obey the law by wearing seatbelts but there are still a proportion of people who think it’s okay to travel in a car without wearing a seatbelt, putting both themselves and others at risk.”

Meanwhile officers have reminded parents and guardians that all children must use a car seat restrained by a seatbelt until they are 12 years old, or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first. There were 42 instances in Staffordshire in 2021 where a child aged between three and 13 years old was sat in the rear of a motor vehicle without wearing a seatbelt. This is compared to 24 offences in 2017.

Sergeant Watson said: “Make sure your car seat is the right one for your child’s height and weight and for your car – not all seats fit all cars. When fitting a car seat make sure it’s correctly fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

“It’s the legal responsibility of the driver to make sure any child is suitably restrained in a child seat or using a seatbelt.

“We all have a part to play in keeping the roads of Staffordshire safe. Wearing a seatbelt as a driver or passenger and restraining children safely is not a choice, it’s compulsory.”