MORE THAN 230 motorists were fined for not wearing their seatbelt during a week-long police crackdown across the West Midlands.
Officers handed out £100 fines and warned about the dangers of not belting up as part of an awareness campaign between March 13 and 19.
One driver, who was caught at the wheel without a seatbelt, even said they didn’t believe a seatbelt was required while
travelling at 25mph or under.
A total of 236 motorists were find across the region including parents who had young children in their vehicle.
To make drivers understand the danger they were putting themselves and others in, the mother of a 12-year-old – who died in a car crash while not wearing a seatbelt – joined officers roadside.
She warned drivers of the potentially fatal consequences of not belting up.
Inspector Andy Bentley, from Central Motorway Police Group (CMPG) said: “It has been law to wear a seatbelt for over 30 years and it is disappointing to see people are still ignoring this.
“There is no excuse for not belting up – it only takes a few seconds and can prove the difference in saving a life.
“We are still seeing parents who are not making sure their children are safely secured in vehicles and putting them at risk of serious harm.
“The campaign may be over but we will continue to monitor motorways and routes across the Midlands to catch those not wearing a seatbelt.”
To raise awareness of the importance of wearing a seatbelt, Special Constable Clive Broadhurst visits school across the region to give presentations on road safety.
This has seen him give advice to more than 4,000 pupils in just 12 months.
Research has shown that wearing a seatbelt reduces the chances of being killed in a car crash by 50 per cent.
