1,500 caught in seatbelt campaign

Motorists and passengers face a £30 fine for not wearing a seatbelt

Nearly 1,500 drivers and passengers were caught not wearing car seatbelts during an all-Wales crackdown.

The highest number stopped by the four Welsh forces in a two week period was 401 in Gwent, according to figures.

Gwent Police are "disappointed" with the results and said it showed that a problem still exists.

Ch Insp John Pavett said the force was "conscious and concerned" that failing to wear a seatbelt was a "recurring factor" in fatal crashes.

The campaign ran between 10-24 September, and most of those caught were drivers.

But across Wales 41 child passengers under 14 - the majority in the South Wales force area - were also spotted not wearing safety belts.

CAUGHT NOT WEARING BELT Dyfed-Powys: 367 Gwent: 401 North Wales: 338 South Wales: 372 Total: 1,478 Source: All-Wales seatbelt campaign, 2007

Ch Insp Pavett, of Gwent's roads policing unit, said: "What is surprising is that it's not only adults who were found not wearing seatbelts but children as well.

"I find it inconceivable that an adult will not make a child wear a seatbelt even if they don't themselves."

He added: "The results of the campaign prove that the problem still very much exists, despite the campaigning and the education we have provided to members of the public."

Police say wearing a belt can increase survival chances in a collision by up to 60%.

Motorists have been warned that they also risk a £30 fine.

Ch Insp Phil Davies, of Dyfed Powys Police said: "Although enforcement of the law was the primary tactic used by the four Welsh forces in this campaign it is important to note that education remains a key feature in our overall aim of reducing the number of casualties."