Police launch Scots seatbelt crackdown  01 | 09 | 2010

    POLICE FORCES across Scotland have launched a new crackdown on drivers and passsengers who flout the law — and put their lives at risk — by not wearing a seatbelt. The action plan marks the 21st anniversary of the introduction of the law which meant children travelling in the back of cars had to wear seatbelts.

    It's estimated in Scotland that one in three people who are killed in vehicles are not wearing seatbelts. According to the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), half of those people could have been saved had they been strapped in. And according to the police, an average of 27,000 drivers and passengers are caught every year in Scotland not wearing a seatbelt.

    "The number of people who are still not wearing a seatbelt is totally unacceptable and highlights that vehicle occupants are continuing to show a complete disregard for their own safety," explained Chief Superintendent Charlie Common, who is part of the Lothian and Borders Police force and heads up casualty reduction for Acpos.

    "Equally it is a great concern that some drivers are putting the lives of their children at risk by allowing them to travel unrestrained. During previous Acpos campaigns, incidents have been detected highlighting the situation. For example in April, a 37-year-old driver was reported for carrying three children, all under five years of age, none of whom were properly restrained.

    "Officers from all Scottish forces will be targeting vehicle occupants who continue to break the law, utilising marked and unmarked police vehicles. In some areas force road safety officers will be conducting checks of child seats and offering advice."

    The campaign was also backed by Chief Inspector Sandy Bowman, head of road policing at Tayside Police. "Whilst 21 years have elapsed since the introduction of legislation, the number of persons injured in collisions remains at an unacceptable level," he said. "This campaign provides an opportunity to remind all road users of the importance of wearing a seatbelt even on the shortest of journeys."

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