By Sharon AsplinMOTORISTS have been warned that police will be taking a zero-tolerant approach if they are caught not wearing their seatbelts.Officers from Bocking traffic police remain concerned over the rising number of road crashes in the Braintree and Uttlesford districts in which drivers and passengers have been killed or injured as a result of failing to wear a seatbelt.

By Sharon Asplin

MOTORISTS have been warned that police will be taking a zero-tolerant approach if they are caught not wearing their seatbelts.

Officers from Bocking traffic police remain concerned over the rising number of road crashes in the Braintree and Uttlesford districts in which drivers and passengers have been killed or injured as a result of failing to wear a seatbelt.

Sgt Bob Beckwith is now looking for parents to lead the way and set an example to all other motorists to act responsibly.

"I'm absolutely gobsmacked to see children standing up and jumping around in the backs of vehicles when I'm out with my kids shopping or on the way to school," he said.

"I fail to understand why they can allow their own flesh and blood to run the risk of being scarred for life, seriously disabled or worse - it's the child's future we're talking about.

"Even in minor collisions, an unrestrained person is likely to cause serious injury to themselves or others. There should be no excuse for drivers and passengers not wearing their seatbelt, there are very few exceptions to the rules."

Seatbelt laws were introduced in the 1980s in an effort to put an end to the grief and misery caused to families, with drivers reminded of their responsibility to ensure passengers under the age of 14 are properly restrained by way of a seatbelt, child seat or booster.

Essex County Council road safety officer, Elaine Beckett, said: "I've been working on seatbelt safety initiatives with road policing officers for 10 years now, but it still saddens and disappoints me that so many drivers and passengers still fail to wear a seatbelt."

Traffic police will be carrying out a number of stop checks at various locations around the area, with unmarked vehicles on patrol on dedicated days throughout April.

Offenders will either be issued with £30 fixed penalty tickets or prosecuted at court in more serious circumstances.

sharon.asplin@eadt.co.uk