Winchester drivers caught not wearing seatbelts

Date: 26/4/2010

An operation by Hampshire Police found 52 drivers were caught breaking the law by not wearing a seatbelt.

Those who were caught were given the option to pay a £60 fine or attend a 30-minute class at Winchester Rugby Club on road safety and 47 offenders chose the education session, the Hampshire Chronicle reports.

Local fire fighter Martin Gritt gave a talk at the meeting and noted one of those attending was a man he had cut out of his car following an accident four years ago.

He added the man had injuries which were made worse due to the fact he wasn't wearing a belt.

Mr Gritt remarked: "It's frustrating to see him back today with the same problem of not wearing a seatbelt. But the guy said it had really hit home today and reminded him of the accident he'd had."

During a recent crackdown by police in the Scottish Highlands 56 people were fined for not wearing restraints, according to the Press and Journal.