Police launch new seatbelt campaign

The first week will primarily be aimed at delivering education messages which will be run in consultation with Fire and Rescue, and East Sussex County Council Road Safety Officers.

The second week commencing Monday 5th February will be aimed solely on Enforcement.

Supt Paul Morrison, of Sussex Police Road Policing Department, said, "The wearing of seatbelts plays a major part in injury reduction when there a collision does occur.

"It could mean the difference between life and death. Clunk, click every trip really does mean just as much now as it ever did."

Neil Robinson, of East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, said: "We take the matter of road safety very seriously.

"The number of hours the service spend dealing with tragic incidents on the roads far outweighs the time spent tackling fires.

"We are committed to working alongside our partners to reduce serious casualties and make the roads of Sussex a safer place."

Cllr Matthew Lock, lead cabinet member for transport and environment at the county council, said: "It is important children are provided with the appropriate child car seats or booster seats.

"Adult seat belts can cause injury to the neck and legs if worn by a child in an accident. If you are driving with a child under 135cm in height who is also under 12 years old you must make sure an appropriate seat is fitted or you could face 30 to 500 fine. Child safety key to the county and this initiative."

Sussex Police will be enforcing the tough new penalties for using hand held mobile phones from midnight on February 27. Although already illegal to use a hand held mobile phone while driving, the current penalty is a 30 fine.

The offences of using a hand-held mobile phone while driving and failing to have proper control of a vehicle will become endorsable, carrying three penalty points and an increase from 30 to 60 fine.

Any cases that reach court could involve discretionary disqualification and a maximum fine of 1,000 or 2,500 in the case of the dirver of a bus, coach or goods vehicle.

Supt Paul Morrison, of Sussex Police Road Policing Department, said: "This is not another bash at the motoring public, it's about helping to prevent people getting injured on our roads.

"The severity of the penalty reflects the dangers posed through mobile phone use and not maintaining proper control of your car. We will enforce this law as it very much part of safer roads and safer communities"