Officers urge drivers and passengers to wear seatbelts

Officers are reminding all drivers and their passengers to protect themselves and others by wearing a seatbelt as part of our latest road safety campaign.

Operation Lightning, the force’s dedicated ongoing road policing operation, is focussing specifically on seatbelt safety from 6 to 26 June.

This will see the force’s Road Policing Unit (RPU) out and about across the county, advising drivers of the dangers they face if they decide to break the law and not wear a seatbelt while travelling.

It comes as figures show that from 2017 to 2021, more than 3,600 occasions were recorded across Staffordshire where an adult driver was not wearing a seatbelt.

Since 2017, the number of reported non-seatbelt offences has risen by 42 percent – from 459 recorded instances to 1086 in 2021.

Sergeant Tom Watson of RPU, said: “Seatbelts are designed to keep you in your seat, and prevent or reduce injuries suffered in a crash.

“They ensure that as little contact as possible is made between you and vehicle interior and significantly reduce the risk of you being thrown from a vehicle.

“You’re twice as likely to die in a car crash if you’re not wearing a seatbelt.

“We think that is a reason enough to belt up when driving.”

It is illegal to not wear a seatbelt, regardless of whether you are travelling in the front or back of a vehicle.

If spotted, you face an on-the-spot fine of £100. If prosecuted, you may face of fine of up to £500.

“Most drivers and passengers are sensible and obey the law by wearing seatbelts but there are still a proportion of people who think it’s okay to travel in a car without wearing a seatbelt, putting both themselves and others at risk,” Sgt Watson added.

All parents and guardians should also be aware that all children must use a car seat restrained by a seatbelt until they are 12 years old, or 135 centimetres tall, whichever comes first.

There were 42 instances in Staffordshire in 2021 where a child aged between three and 13 years old were sat in the rear of a motor vehicle without wearing a seatbelt. This is compared to 24 offences in 2017 – a 57 percent increase.

Sgt Watson said: “Make sure your car seat is the right one for your child’s height and weight and for your car - not all seats fit all cars.

“When fitting a car seat make sure it’s correctly fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

“It’s the legal responsibility of the driver to make sure any child is suitably restrained in a child seat or using a seatbelt.

“We all have a part to play in keeping the roads of Staffordshire safe.

“Wearing a seatbelt as a driver or passenger and restraining children safely is not a choice, it’s compulsory.”

For more information on seatbelts and child car seats, visit: Seat belts and car seats: the facts (staffordshire.police.uk)