Suffolk-wide motorists flout the law

CONTINUING to flout the law, almost 250 motorists across Suffolk failed to belt up despite a police crackdown that was carried out.

The 'disappointing' number saw 235 Fixed Penalty Notices issued to people not wearing a seatbelt or not using the appropriate child restraints.

And equating to an average of nearly 34 being issued per day, a large number of people on the county's roads are still potentially putting their lives at risk.

Between Monday, February 16 and Sunday, February 22 officers were deployed countywide to clamp down on the motorists.

Of the 235 Fixed Penalty Notices issued 234 were given in relation to adults not wearing a seatbelt and one in relation to a child, with the recipients incurring a minimum of an instant �30 fine.

So far this year the weekly average of Fixed Penalty Notices issued in Suffolk for seatbelt offences is just under 62. During this campaign that number was almost quadrupled. This follows an enforcement campaign from last year that ran from September 1 to December 31 during which 1711 motorists were caught without a seatbelt.

It has been over 25 years since the mandatory wearing of seatbelts became law but these latest figures show that there are still a large number people on the county's roads continuing to flout the law.

Chief Inspector Mike Bacon from the Roads Policing Unit said: 'Unfortunately we are still finding people who are knowingly putting their lives at risk. It is such a simple task that should be part of the routine before starting up a vehicle. It is disappointing that so many Fixed Penalty Notices had to be handed out but we will continue to crackdown on those who fail to put on their seatbelt. Even on short journeys or at low speeds the importance of wearing a seatbelt can not be underestimated, it can mean the difference between life and death.'

Any motorists caught without a seatbelt will be given an instant fixed penalty notice of �30 and could face a fine of up to �500.