Isle seatbelt campaign kicks off

A police campaign during September will aim to lower the huge number of deaths and serious injuries caused by vehicle passengers not wearing seat belts.
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A forcewide Humberside police initiative will run for a month from September 1 to 30.

Statistics state that 370 deaths and 7,000 serious injuries could be prevented on the roads every year. Only 85 per cent of front seat passengers and 50 per cent of rear seat passengers belt up when travelling.

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The casualty reduction campaign hopes to educate people about the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt and the importance of making sure children have correct restraints in place when travelling.

Casualty Reduction Roads Policing Officer, PC Barry Gardner, said: “If compliance rates can be increased, the severity of injury in the event of a road collision can be reduced dramatically.

“By raising awareness it is hoped to increase seat belt wearing compliance levels through enforcement, education and encouragement.

“A driver is responsible for him or herself and for any passenger under the age of 14 years. Any passenger 14 years of age and over is responsible for their own seat belt.

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“There are exemptions but essentially all drivers and passengers of motor vehicles, which includes cars, light vans and any vehicle up to 3.5 tonnes, must wear seat belts.”

“Officers from Humberside Police Roads Policing Team will be increasing high visibility policing activity with a view to not only disrupting, preventing and detecting criminal activity but also to reduce road collisions and casualties, particularly those involving death and serious injury.”

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