MORE than 110 people were dealt with for failing to wear a seatbelt in Essex last week.
Essex police officers across the county joined colleagues from forces all over Europe in a clamp down on drivers and passengers who refuse to wear seatbelts.
A total of 114 fixed penalty notices were issued to people spotted not wearing a seatbelt between March 14 and March 20, 2016.
The activity formed part of a week-long campaign launched by TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network, to raise awareness of the importance of buckling up.
Those caught were offered the chance to complete an online course about seatbelt safety or pay a £100 fine.
Adam Pipe, Casualty Reduction Manager at Essex Police, said: "Seatbelts are there for a reason, they save lives. In fact you’re twice as likely to die if you’re involved in a road collision and aren’t wearing a seatbelt.
"Failing to wear a seatbelt not only risks your life but also that of any passengers in the car. Just one person not wearing a seatbelt can be thrown around with enough force to kill or seriously injure other people within the car.
"Sadly, for reasons I will never understand, some people choose to ignore these statistics and take the risk. It’s always disappointing to see that people fail to heed our advice. However my team is passionate about road safety and we will continue to do all we can to help save lives on the roads of Essex."
