More than 200 people were caught not wearing a seatbelt during a police crackdown.

From Monday, 24 May until Sunday, 13 June, the Joint Operations Unit (JOU) of Hampshire Constabulary and Thames Valley Police supported the National Police Chiefs’ Council seatbelt campaign.

Officers stopped 342 vehicles in Thames Valley, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. And 214 people chose not to wear a seatbelt and were reported for the offence.

Together with council partners, officers from the unit gave advice to those who were not wearing or incorrectly wearing seatbelts as well as drivers with an unsuitable child seat.

Sergeant Scott Kerr, Road Safety Sergeant for Hampshire and Thames Valley Police, said: “The recent seatbelt campaign in May and June showed that the vast majority of people are wearing their seatbelts. This is very positive, as we know that wearing a seatbelt correctly saves lives.

“It does not matter how far you are travelling, every journey needs all occupants to buckle up. Research has shown that many collisions occur at low speed and within only a few miles of home.

“You are twice as likely to lose your life in a collision if you are not wearing a seatbelt. If unrestrained, you will hit the windscreen, or the front seat in the case of a rear seat passenger, at a force of 30 to 60 times your own body weight,” he added.

“Please wear a seat belt every time you travel in a vehicle. It’s just not worth the risk.”

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