Almost 600 people stopped by Sussex Police during seatbelt campaign

The Sussex Police Road Policing Unit ran the campaign alongside a TISPOL Europe-wide campaign and in conjunction with the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership.

A Sussex Police spokesman said: “Covert and overt mobile and static checks were carried out throughout the week.

“A total of 578 people were stopped for not wearing their seatbelts.

“Offenders were given £60 fines.”

During the checks, police found five children were not wearing seatbelts.

Sergeant Phil Duffy, of Sussex Police’s Road Policing Unit, said: “This year we stopped an increased number of people who were not wearing a seatbelt.

“Seatbelts save lives and Sussex Police is committed to keeping people safe on the county’s roads.

“A concerted effort has been made by officers to target drivers and their passengers who are not wearing a seatbelt.

“However, it is disappointing to see that people continue to flout the law.

“Although last week’s campaign has now ended, we enforce seatbelt use throughout the year.

“If you don’t use your seatbelt without good reason you can expect to be stopped.”

Neil Hopkins, communications manager for the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership, said: “Not wearing a seatbelt is one of what is known as the fatal four – including drinking and driving, speeding and using a mobile phone behind the wheel – all actions with potentially deadly consequences.

“I hope the fines received by the persons stopped for not wearing a seatbelt will cause them to change their behaviour in the future and be an example to others around them.”