Cops trap seat belt slackers (From Lancaster And Morecambe Citizen)

Cops trap seat belt slackers

7:36am Tuesday 7th August 2007

• Print
• Email
• Share

ALMOST 60 motorists were fined for not wearing seatbelts on day one of a police crackdown.

Bobbies who launched a summer campaign against motorists driving under the influence of drink and drugs caught the seat belt slackers in the act.

Fifty-seven people across North Lancashire were hit with an on-the-spot fine, with six drivers also being handed tickets for using a hand held mobile at the wheel and two cars seized from uninsured drivers.

Bobbies say the summer operation will continue, with roadside checks being set up over the next few weeks. And all drivers not wearing seat belts or using phones will be targeted.

Motorists involved in accidents and those stopped for moving traffic offences will all be breath tested at the scene, irrespective of whether an offence of drink driving is suspected or not, says Sgt Nigel Ralphson, from the Northern Division's road policing unit.

He told the Citizen: "Unfortunately it is necessary to continually remind drivers of the dangers of drink-driving.

"It is appropriate that we do this in the summer holiday period when people are generally in a more relaxed mood and may not realise that they have drunk more than they intended to before getting into the car.

"We don't want to be killjoys by stopping people from enjoying themselves but it is important that people are aware of the dangers of driving with excess alcohol and of the time it takes alcohol to leave the system before they are safe to drive again."

• Print
• Email
• Share