SUFFOLK: MORE than 100 of the county’s motorists have been fined during a week-long European seatbelt enforcement crackdown.

Suffolk Constabulary said a total of 94 drivers and seven passengers were given �60 fixed penalty notices for not belting-up between February 15 and 21.

This year to date the average weekly number of notices issued for seatbelt offences in the county is 41.

The 101 fines given out during the latest week-long campaign show a slight increase on a similar crackdown in September last year, where 92 notices were issued.

Chief Inspector Mike Bacon from the roads policing unit said: “The results of this campaign make it all too apparent that there are still too many people that are ignoring road safety messages.

“It is disappointing that so many fixed penalty notices were issued, one person knowingly taking a risk like this is too many, let alone 101.

“I cannot understand why people don’t wear their seatbelt. It’s a simple and quick task of which the importance should not be underestimated.

“Even on short journeys or at low speeds seatbelts can mean the difference between life and death.

“We will continue to crackdown on this offence throughout the year and I would appeal to all motorists and passengers to wear their seatbelts on every journey.”

Any motorists caught without a seatbelt are given a �60 notice, but could in extreme case face a fine of up to �500.

Do you think penalties are tough enough for those who don’t wear seatbelts? E-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or write Star Letters, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN.