Dyfed-Powys Police recently participated in an all-Wales seat-belt campaign in line with the Welsh Assembly, local and national Government and policing directive on reducing the number of people killed and injured on our roads each year.
In a joint two-week operation, officers combined their efforts with county road safety officers and the Road Safety Council of Wales to heighten the public's awareness of the benefits of using vehicle seat-belts.
Whilst the initiative focused on all persons travelling within cars, a particular effort was made to focus on journeys to and from school, commonly known as the 'school run.' It is still a sad fact that far too many occupants of vehicles do not wear their belt whilst in the car. Worse still is the adult in the vehicle who routinely uses his or her seat-belt without ensuring that their or another's child who is also in the vehicle is not strapped in.
In total, 1,588 vehicles were stopped within the Dyfed-Powys area, with 486 fixed penalty tickets issued for failing to wear a seat-belt and/or related seat-belt legislation. A further 192 motoring offences were reported as a result of the initiative, with 89 persons receiving a verbal warning for a more minor offence.
By following what is the most basic of steps, motoring can be made safer for all and some of the injuries sustained in traffic collisions could be lessened or avoided altogether.
Dyfed-Powys Police would like to take this opportunity to remind all motorists that theirs and other lives can be saved if they 'Think'!