Motorists warned to use seatbelts

People who put themselves at risk by refusing to wear seatbelts are being targeted by police.

A month-long crackdown on those flouting the law was launched by officers on Monday.

In 1994, 6% of those killed and seriously injured in Derbyshire were not wearing seatbelts but by 2003 this had risen to 16.2%.

Drivers and adult passengers spotted without their belts will be handed a £30 penalty ticket.

Between 2003 and 2004, 274 fatal and serious injuries were as a direct result of people failing to wear a seatbelt.

Police say they suspect the figure may be much higher as many people are reluctant to admit they were not wearing a seatbelt at the time of an accident.

Police statistics show that people between the ages of 15 and 30 are the most likely offenders.