Motorists caught not wearing seatbelts in Torbay

Date: 12/5/2010

Motorists in Torbay are putting their safety at risk by not wearing seatbelts, according to Devon and Cornwall Police.

Officers from the force carried out a day of enforcement and issued 17 fixed penalties to drivers who were not properly restrained and 18 people were reprimanded for using a mobile phone behind the wheel.

Sergeant Olly Tayler said the results are disappointing considering the concentrated effort to educate road users on road safety and road traffic laws.

A series of educational sessions were also organised and staff from the Traffic Unit, Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Community Safety Unit and Torbay Council all took part.

Mr Tayler remarked: "The road shows were considered a great success with more than 500 people spoken to and given general road safety advice by all agencies present."

Hampshire police discovered 52 people were not wearing their seatbelts during a recent operation in the area.

The majority of those caught opted to go to a 30-minute education session on road safety, which was held at Winchester Rugby Club.