Seatbelt campaign launched by police

The campaign has been launched by South Yorkshire Police as part of a European-wide initiative focusing on the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

Chief Inspector Stuart Walne, Head of Roads Policing for South Yorkshire, said: “Some people are less likely to use seatbelts on short or familiar journeys.”

“But if you’re involved in a collision and not wearing a seatbelt you have a far bigger chance of suffering serious injuries or even death.”

“If you are travelling in the front seats you risk being thrown through the windscreen. Passengers in the rear seats become a lethal danger to both themselves and those in the front.”

“Taking a few seconds to put the belt on before moving off is the best investment you can make every time you get in a car.”

According to the Department for Transport, drivers and passengers aged 17-34 have the lowest rates for wearing seatbelts combined with the highest involvement in collisions. Drivers caught without a seatbelt on face a fine of £60. If prosecuted in court, the maximum fine is £500.