Seatbelts are life savers

Schools focus for new seatbelt campaign

Schools will be the focus of a new campaign to warn about the dangers of not wearing seatbelts.

It's been compulsory for many years, but too many drivers still ignore the law. And there's also concern about vulnerable backseat passengers, including youngsters being dropped off or picked up at school.

Motorists could risk on the spot fines if caught not wearing seatbelts and schools, parents, drivers and passengers are going to be warned about the implications of going without a seatbelt.

Staffordshire County Councils Road Safety Officer Kevin Wilcox said: "Unfortunately, far too many people still do not wear seatbelts, especially when travelling in the back.

"Travelling in the rear of a car, unrestrained, is likely to kill or seriously injure them, or the person in front, if involved in a crash. Even at low speeds, not wearing a seatbelt can have disastrous consequences. We will be contacting schools with a view to raising awareness of this issue, as far too many parents either don't wear their seatbelt or allow their children to travel unrestrained."

Inspector Trevor Steventon Commander of Lichfield Local Policing Unit added: "All too often, police and colleagues in the emergency services have to deal with the heart rending results of drivers and passengers not wearing their seat belts. The effect road collisions have on families can be life changing, with loved ones seriously injured or killed simply because they failed to belt up."

He added that police in the Lichfield area are currently carrying out a seat belt enforcement campaign with drivers risking on the spot fines for failing to follow the safety laws.

Page Last Modified: 30/01/2007 16:05:33

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