Drivers given seatbelt reminder
Issued by North Yorkshire Police
“Stay safe and #beltup” is the simple message being given by North Yorkshire Police.
The warning comes as officers from across the county give their support to a week long Europe-wide safety campaign, aimed at reducing the numbers of road users killed and seriously injured.
The TISPOL-led week of action runs from Monday 9 September to Sunday 15 September 2013.
During the 2012 week of action, forces across England and Wales issued in excess of 125,000 penalty notices, which included 9,234 for children either not wearing a seatbelt or not having appropriate safety restraints.
Research has shown that people who don’t wear their seatbelt are twice as likely to be killed as the result of an road traffic collision as those who wore them.
Drivers caught without a seatbelt face an on-the-spot fine of £100 and a maximum of £500 if they are prosecuted.
Inspector Paul Cording, of North Yorkshire Police’s Roads Policing Group, said: “The message to all vehicle users is very clear, wearing a seatbelt can save your life.
“Not taking the time to belt up doubles your chance of dying in a collision, it’s that simple.
“As a police officer who has spent many years working to keep the county’s roads as safe as possible, I am all too aware of the consequences of not wearing a seatbelt.
“I have had to tell too many grieving relatives about a death I know could have been prevented, if only the casualty had taken a few seconds to put on their seatbelt.”
Inspector Cording added: “Wearing a seatbelt has been the law for 30 years and there is no excuse for not doing so.
“Drivers are also responsible for ensuring that their passengers are wearing seatbelts, especially younger passengers who may not be old enough to take responsibility for themselves.”
To follow the campaign use the hashtag #beltup.
For more advice on road safety please visit the North Yorkshire police website.
To learn more about TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network, visit their website.