News Archive
Back to News ArchiveAll Wales 2009 Seatbelt Campaign Results
2611 people in Wales put their lives at risk by choosing not to wear a seatbelt during this year’s All Wales Seatbelt Campaign.
The 2-week campaign led by Gwent Police, ran from 7 - 20 September and involved South Wales Police, Dyfed Powys Police and North Wales Police.
The campaign focussed on education and enforcement.
The educational phase, launched on August 25, gave emergency services the opportunity to raise awareness of the possible consequences of not wearing a seatbelt and the double in price of the fixed penalty notice from £30 to £60.
By force, the numbers of drivers and passengers issued with a fixed penalty notices for not wearing a seatbelts are:
Gwent - 1135
South Wales - 518
Dyfed-Powys - 435
North Wales - 523
Overall, 27% (698) of those drivers and passengers were under the age of 25.
Chief Inspector of Roads Policing at Gwent Police, John Pavett said:
“It is disappointing to see that this many people are still choosing to risk their lives and the lives of others by not wearing a seatbelt despite the awareness and education given to drivers and passengers in Wales.
We place a strong focus on both education and enforcement during these campaigns and targeted police patrols ensure offenders are caught and penalised.
The overall number of people caught not wearing a seatbelt is lower than last year but no where near what we would like it to be.
It won’t come as a surprise to people to know that a significant number of drivers or passengers killed in road traffic collisions are found to have not worn a seatbelt. It is incomprehensible that people are not learning from these tragedies.
This particular campaign may have come to an end but we will continue to take a pro-active approach all year round to educate motorists and enforce seatbelt laws.”
Taken from the Heddlu Gwent Police Website