Police launch seatbelt safety drive

01 September 2010

Scotland Police have launched a 24-hour campaign targeting drivers and passengers who fail to wear their seatbelts, as part of an initiative to reduce the number of road casualties.

The "Day of Action", coordinated by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (Acpos), marks the 21st anniversary of the introduction of legislation requiring children travelling in the back of cars to wear seatbelts.

The police collective in Scotland estimate that one in three people killed in car accidents were not wearing seatbelts, and said that half of these people could have been saved had they been wearing one.

Seatbelts reduce the risk of fatal injury by 50%, and safety features, such as air-bags, are designed to work only if the person is properly restrained to the seat.

Police figures show that, on average, 27,000 drivers and passengers are caught every year in Scotland not wearing a seatbelt.

Chief Superintendent Charlie Common, who is part of the Lothian and Borders Police force and head of casualty reduction for Acpos, said: "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.

"It is equally of great concern that some drivers are putting the lives of their children at risk by allowing them to travel unrestrained."

He added: "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."

Copyright © Press Association 2010