MOTORISTS are being called on to ‘buckle up’ as West Midlands Police crackdown on those not wearing a seatbelt.
The force’s Traffic Unit will be out for the next three weeks as part of a national campaign to educate and fine those not wearing a seatbelt.
The campaign, which runs until June 13, is being held across the UK and co-ordinated by NPCC, the National Police Chiefs’ Council, to improve road safety and law enforcement.
The first week of the operation will be educating motorist around the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt, followed by two weeks of enforcement.
The primary aim is to ensure motorists are using their seatbelts and child restraints correctly and to crack down on offenders who continue to break the law.
In the UK it is a legal requirement for drivers and passengers to wear a seatbelt, unless they have an exemption and it is the driver’s legal responsibility to ensure that any passenger under 14-years-old is using the appropriate child restraint.
During the second two weeks, the teams will be taking tougher action and targeting key locations, specifically those where there are serious injury collisions and issuing £100 fines to those who are not wearing belts.
Sergeant Fran Allen from Force Traffic Unit, said: “For most people putting their seatbelt on comes as second nature, but for some, it is something they choose to ignore and really could be a matter of life or death.
“It’s so simple, yet so serious, and we want to use this opportunity in the first week of the campaign to educate and not legislate. There are some people that don’t necessarily understand the rules, especially around child restraints and we want to take this opportunity to make sure people are aware of the dangers.
“It is just as important for the passengers to wear seatbelts, as it is for the drivers and therefore we will be educating everyone in the car.
“We will then look to take much tougher action, a second click of the belt buckle, really could save either your life or someone around you.”
The West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner, Simon Foster said: “Those who choose not to wear a seatbelt put their own lives, and that of passengers and other road users at risk.
“Sadly, these people and their children who do not wear seatbelts are far more likely to be killed or injured.
“Making our roads safer is one of my priorities as Police and Crime Commissioner. Part of that includes encouraging all drivers to wear a seatbelt and to make sure their passengers are too.”
