South Yorkshire Police joins European seatbelt crackdown

As part of a week long seatbelt campaign, South Yorkshire Police is reminding motorists and passengers to belt up on every journey, no matter how short it may be.

The European-wide TISPOL (Traffic Information System Police) seatbelt initiative runs from 10 to 16 September and will involve police forces from across the whole of Europe focusing on the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

According to the Department for Transport, drivers and passengers aged 17-34 have the double jeopardy of the lowest rates for wearing seatbelts combined with the highest involvement in collisions. You are twice as likely to die in a crash if you’re not 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. If you’re involved in a collision and not wearing a seatbelt you have far worse 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 is the best investment you can make every time you get in a car, please do it for yourself and your family."

"Drivers caught without a seatbelt will face a fine of £60. If prosecuted, the maximum fine is £500."