Drivers told to "belt up" (From This is The West Country)

Drivers told to "belt up"

6:00am Sunday 30th September 2012 in News

POLICE across Avon and Somerset stopped more than 300 drivers during a week-long 'belt up' safety campaign earlier this month.

The Europe-wide campaign, which was part of the force's Operation Relentless to keep you safe on the roads, saw mobile patrols on the lookout for anyone breaking the law and sending out the message that seatbelts should be worn in all seats in all vehicles.

All the drivers stopped were given information leaflets, advice and in some cases verbal warnings. 71 were given fixed penalty £60 fines for seatbelt offences and 24 were given the option of attending a driver education courses.

Not wearing a seatbelt is one of what police call the 'fatal four' driving offences. The others are speeding, drink and drug driving, and using a mobile phone while driving.

Last year, 2011, in Avon and Somerset a total of 1,567 fixed penalty £60 fines were issued to drivers for seatbelt offences.