Sussex Police will be carrying out seatbelt checks across the area this week.
The force is supporting a national week-long seatbelt enforcement campaign and officers will be carrying out enforcement checks to make sure road users are complying with the law and wearing seatbelts.
Checks will be in Eastbourne, Hailsham, Polegate, Seaford and surrounding villages including Pevensey, Westham, Herstmonceux and Hellingly.
The Sussex Police Road Policing Unit is running the campaign alongside a Europe-wide campaign and in conjunction with the Sussex Safer Roads Partnership.
Chief Inspector Phil Nicholas said, “There is evidence that people are less likely to use seatbelts on short of familiar journeys. By doing this they are placing themselves at risk of serious injury in a collision.
“Any driver or passenger who fails to wear a seatbelt in a vehicle is breaking the law. Drivers caught without a seatbelt face on-the-spot fines of £60. If prosecuted, the maximum fine is £500, however the consequences could be much greater if you are involved in a collision.”
Alongside the enforcement a number of events will be taking place across the county to educate people about the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt.
During 2012 Sussex Police issued 4,017 £60 fixed penalty notices for seat belt offences.
Sussex Police is also joining other forces around the country in offering educational courses for some road offences. The ‘Your Belt - Your Life’ seatbelt educational course is being launched in Sussex to coincide with the enforcement campaign. The course has been developed nationally and will be offered to people as an alternative to a fine for not wearing a seatbelt.
It is run as an online course or via workbooks sent to people’s homes. The participant pays £36 as an alternative to a £60 fine for not wearing seatbelt.
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