Police advise motorists on the importance of wearing a seatbelt

Police are reminding motorists that wearing a seatbelt can be the difference between life and death.

The Constabulary are part of the Casualty Reduction and Safer Highways Group which throughout the year work together in order to reduce the number of people killed and seriously injured on the county’s roads.

This month the focus is on the use of seatbelts and child restraints working in line with TISPOL’s European Seatbelt Enforcement Operation.

Officers from the Operational Support Unit alongside officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Teams will patrol the county’s roads conducting high visibility stop checks, covert patrols and also static speed checks, particularly focusing on peak times for commuting as more vehicles are on the road following the end of the school summer holidays.

It is a legal requirement for anyone travelling in a vehicle to wear a seatbelt if one is fitted. Those aged 14 and over are responsible for wearing their seatbelt and it is the driver’s responsibility to make sure passengers under the age of 14 have their seatbelt on.

It is also a requirement that those under the age of 12 or under 135cm use a child seat. There are four groups of child seats which are designed for different weights and some seats cover more than one group. For more information on the correct car seat to use please visit www.cumbria.police.uk/roadsafety.

Sergeant Claire Sampson, of the Constabulary’s Operational Support Unit, said “Wearing a seatbelt is the single most effective way of saving lives and reducing injuries in road accidents. They really can make the difference if you are involved in a collision. Seatbelts also increase the safety of others in your vehicle as it restrains your body and reduces the risk of you colliding with someone.

“There are too many occasions where a death could have been avoided because a seatbelt was not worn. This is why wearing a seatbelt is not a matter of choice as some may believe. Those stopped driving without a seatbelt can receive a fine up to £500 and also a driver can receive points on their license.

“Similarly parents and guardians need to make sure that their children are safe by using the relevant car seat. Please make their safety a priority when planning and beginning a journey.”

Chris Broadbent, Cumbria Road Safety Partnership Road Safety Coordinator added “A seatbelt is vital for protecting yourself and family whilst driving. I would recommend that parents of young children visit the Constabulary’s website or www.goodeggcarsafety.com for the useful information that it contains.”

Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes said “It is really important that people listen to the simple advice of wearing seat belts.  There are far too many deaths and injuries on our roads and we must all ensure that we play our part to reducing these.”

Members of the public can keep up with the latest on the roads by visiting www.cumbria.police.uk/traffic or use the hashtag #CumbriaRoads.