More than 100,000 drivers and passengers were detected for not wearing seatbelts, according to a recent pan-European seatbelt control operation.
A total of 24 countries took part in the operation, which was co-ordinated by the European Traffic Police Network (TISPOL).
Of the final total of 104,838 detections, 3,245 related to children not wearing seatbelts or other safety restraints.
The remaining 101,593 offences related to adult vehicle occupants.
Commenting on the results, Koen Ricour, president of TISPOL, said: "The use of seatbelts is the single most effective method of reducing fatalities and serious injuries in motor vehicle collisions. That’s why our message is clear. Wearing a seatbelt is not a matter of choice. It is required by law in every European country because it could quite literally save your life in the event of an accident. Don’t take any chances. Use a seatbelt on every journey.”
Stopping drivers for seatbelt offences also provides police officers with the opportunity to make other appropriate safety and security checks. For example, during the week of this seatbelt operation, officers also detected and dealt with offences connected with irregular immigration and human trafficking (53), possession of drugs (241), firearms (34) and stolen goods (46), as well as 4,020 other crimes.
The TISPOL organisation was established by the traffic police forces of Europe in order to improve road safety and law enforcement on the roads of Europe.
John Sidebottom - 13/05/2013 11:25
And most of these live in Bradford I guess they would do them up but they seem too busy on their mobile phones and undertaking everytime I spot them. Oh and their children are clearly much to active to be tied down on short journeys of less than 500 miles.