Police target drivers without seatbelts

A CLAMPDOWN on motorists who fail to wear a seat belt is underway in Ipswich today.

As part of a European wide seatbelt enforcement campaign, officers across Suffolk will be carrying out patrols looking for anyone not wearing a seatbelt or using the appropriate child restraints.

Suffolk police hope that the week long campaign, which began yesterday and will finish on Sunday, will help to reduce the number of deaths or serious injuries on the road as a result of people not belting up.

Latest figures reveal that 12 people were killed and 20 people were seriously injured as a result of not wearing a seatbelt in the last year alone.

Inspector Trevor Sharman, of roads policing and support, said all motorists have a moral obligation to ensure their passengers are wearing a seatbelt.

He said: “There are still a significant number of people who are failing to comply with the law and wear a seatbelt and there is no doubt it saves lives and prevents serious injuries.”

Chief Inspector Martin Barnes-Smith of roads policing and support, said: “Most people are aware that the law requires them to wear a seat belt, but despite this we still see many people who choose to ignore the law and put their own lives at risk.

“It's a simple decision: putting on your seatbelt takes less than 30 seconds, not wearing a seatbelt can lead to serious injury or even death.

“Wearing seatbelts can save lives.”

The Evening Star's Light Up, Belt Up, Shut Up campaign was set up to raise awareness of road safety.

It urges people to use their headlights, particularly on gloomy winter mornings, to wear seatbelts and not to use a handheld mobile phone.

In July, 529 people in Suffolk were stopped and issued with a penalty notices for failing to belt up.

Failure to wear a seatbelt carries a fine of £500.

Do you remember to wear your seatbelt? What do you think?

Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.