As part of a national campaign to promote road safety, Kent Police will be cracking down on motorists who do not wear seatbelts or secure their children properly in their vehicles.
The operation, which runs from Monday 12 June to Sunday 25 June 2023, is led by the National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) and aims to educate and enforce the law against those who neglect to belt up.
Not wearing a seatbelt is one of the ‘fatal factors’ that contribute to the most serious and deadly road collisions, along with speeding, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and using a mobile phone or other device while driving. It is also the only factor that does not directly cause a crash but does affect the severity of injuries sustained.
The Road Safety Unit of Kent Police will be supported by other roads policing colleagues and volunteers from the Special Constabulary in taking action and enforcing other traffic laws. The safety camera team on behalf of the Kent and Medway Safety Camera Partnership will also be looking out for seatbelt violations.
Chief Inspector Craig West, Head of Roads Policing, said: ‘Road safety is a top priority for Kent Police and also one of the main focuses of our Safer Summer initiative along with preventing violent crime and antisocial behaviour.
‘Last year, during the same seatbelt operation, we took action against 272 drivers or adult passengers, and another eight for failing to ensure a child in their vehicle was suitably restrained. This is unacceptable and puts lives at risk unnecessarily.
‘Most road users understand the importance of wearing seatbelts, but some still think that nothing bad will happen to them. Unfortunately, sometimes the worst does happen, and that is why we are supporting this important national campaign.’
Click here for further support and advice relating to road safety and here for more information about #SaferSummer.
Search #BeltUp on Twitter for more on the national NPCC campaign.