A COUNTYWIDE police purge is due to start on Monday after more than 1,700 drivers and passengers were caught not wearing seatbelts in just three months.

A COUNTYWIDE police purge is due to start on Monday after more than 1,700 drivers and passengers were caught not wearing seatbelts in just three months.

As part of a European seatbelt enforcement campaign, officers will be carrying out a week of high-visibility patrols in an effort to clamp down on anyone failing to belt-up or not using the appropriate child restraints.

Between September 1 and December 31 last year, 1,711 motorists were caught flouting the law in Suffolk.

Chief Inspector Mike Bacon from the county's roads policing unit said: “I do find it difficult to understand why people don't wear their seatbelt.

“It's a simple and quick task and yet people continue to risk their lives and the lives of others by not wearing them. Far too many people took that risk last year, as our last enforcement campaign showed.

“Throughout 2009 we will continue to crackdown on those who fail to put on their seatbelt, and I would appeal to all motorists and passengers - please belt up, it could save your life.”

Failing to wear a seatbelt remains one of the main causation factors of fatal and serious injury collisions.

Someone in a crash at just 30 mph will be thrown forward with a force of between 30 and 60 times their body weight.

Seatbelts reduce this force and consequently the risk of serious injury or death.

The latest crackdown will begin at 6am on Monday and finish at 6am on Sunday, February 22.

Any motorist caught without a seatbelt will be given an instant fixed penalty notice of �30 and could face a fine of up to �500.

What is your view on people who do not wear seatbelts? E-mail starletters@eveningstar.co.uk or write to Star Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.