Nationwide seatbelt campaign gets underway

Motorists across the UK are being encouraged to ‘buckle up’ and follow seatbelt laws, as part of a three week national campaign.

The campaign, which is being co-ordinated by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC), got underway yesterday (24 May) and runs until 13 June.

It is being supported by police forces across the country, including West Midlands Police.

The first week of their operation involves educating motorists on the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt, followed by two weeks of enforcement.

The force says its 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. 

Sgt Fran Allen, from West Midlands Police’s traffic unit, said: “This is something we enforce as part of our day to day roles, however having the national campaign to raise awareness is something we are really passionate about.

“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.”

Meanwhile in Warwickshire, officers are asking drivers and passengers to make it a habit to check everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seatbelt.

Statistics show in 2020, Warwickshire Police issued 237 fixed penalty notices to drivers and passengers for failing to wear a seat belt.

Sgt Bridle, Warwickshire Police, said: “Whilst the driver is legally responsible the majority of the time, it is so important for friends and family to look out for each other too by checking each other’s seatbelts. Please make this a habit.  

“National statistics tell us you are twice as likely to die in a collision if you are not wearing your seatbelt so you really could be saving a life.  

“This is why during the campaign increased numbers of officers will be out on Warwickshire’s roads looking for drivers and passengers not wearing seatbelts. We will be proactively patrolling Warwickshire’s roads over the coming weeks to both educate car occupants and enforce the legislation.”

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