Over 350 people fail to buckle up during road safety campaign

Published: 12 July 2023

A road safety operation supported by Kent Police resulted in 353 motorists and passengers being reported for not wearing their seatbelt.

Nine people were also targeted for failing to ensure a child in their vehicle was suitably restrained during the two-week national campaign that ran from Monday 12 to Sunday 25 June 2023.

Road safety is one of the key themes of Kent Police’s Safer Summer initiative and officers across the county have been taking action against motorists who put themselves and other road-users at risk.

Not wearing a seatbelt is one of the ‘fatal factors’ most likely to cause someone to die or be seriously injured in a collision. The others are speeding, using a mobile phone or other device at the wheel, and driving whilst under the influence of drink or drugs.

Inspector David Crompton of the Roads Policing Unit said: ‘Putting on a seatbelt is such a simple thing to do and can be the difference between someone being unhurt in a collision or them being seriously injured or worse. It is therefore concerning to see that so many people are still needlessly putting their lives at risk.

‘It is also troubling that on nine occasions we had to take action against a motorist who failed to ensure a child in their vehicle was suitably restrained, which is simply unacceptable.

‘Anyone who does not wear a seatbelt risk receiving an on-the-spot fine of £100, which can rise to as much as £500 if prosecuted, but your life and the lives of others driving in your vehicle are worth so much more.

“Please just wear a seatbelt.”