Over 300 vehicles were stopped by Sussex Police as part of a national campaign aimed at enforcing seatbelt use. The initiative, supporting the National Police Chiefs’ Council, took place from June 5 to June 25, with dedicated enforcement patrols carried out in the county from June 12.
During the campaign, Sussex officers conducted stops on more than 300 vehicles, resulting in 186 motorists being issued with traffic offense reports. While the primary focus of the operation was promoting education and enforcing seatbelt usage, officers also detected a significant number of other offenses during these stops. This led to arrests for drink and drug driving, possession of offensive weapons, and the seizure of vehicles being driven without insurance or a proper license.
Inspector Matt Wightwick of the Roads Policing Unit emphasized the importance of wearing seatbelts, stating, “In a collision, you’re twice as likely to die if you don’t wear a seatbelt. It’s one of the ‘fatal 5’ causes of death or serious injuries on our roads.” He further highlighted that some individuals stopped during the campaign were also arrested for other offenses related to the “fatal 5” categories.
The risk posed by those who disregard seatbelt laws and commit additional offenses can have profound and devastating consequences, not only for themselves but for others as well. Inspector Wightwick emphasized that such risks are never worth considering.
The seatbelt enforcement campaign in Sussex serves as an additional measure to the year-round proactive patrols conducted by officers to reduce road fatalities and serious collisions, while also educating road users. Sussex Police remain committed to these efforts in order to enhance road safety and protect the community from potential harm.
