Seatbelt scheme traps 2224 culprits

By Leo Stevens

More than 2,000 car users who were not wearing their seatbelts have been prosecuted for during a road safety operation in Wales.

The month-long All Wales Seatbelt Campaign was backed by the three Welsh police forces, the fire and ambulance services and other local authorities.

It attempted to warn motorists and passengers about the risks of not belting up, with those flouting the law being fined. Police confirmed they detected a total of 2,224 seatbelt offences.

In South Wales, 514 people were prosecuted, while there were 812 offences recorded in Gwent. In the Dyfed Powys force area, there were 699 offences, while in North Wales a total of 209 offenders were also apprehended. The police confirmed that 46 of these offences were relating to children not wearing seatbelts.

During the enforcement phase of the February campaign, police officers carried out targeted patrols to stop and fine drivers and passengers of all ages not wearing seatbelts.

People who do not wear a seatbelt can receive a £60 fixed penalty notice or be summoned to court where they could face fines of up to £500.

Drivers who fail to adhere to the law could also be stung with higher car insurance premiums in the future if their car insurance company deems them to be reckless drivers.