European Seat Belt Campaign Sees Nearly 123,000 Penalties Issued

A European week-long police enforcement campaign on drivers and passengers not using seatbelts has resulted in the issue of nearly 123,000 penalties. The campaign in February was co-ordinated by TISPOL, the pan-European traffic police organisation.

Officers in 23 countries across Europe stopped vehicle occupants of all ages who were observed not using seatbelts.

TISPOL President Javier Sanchez Ferragut said: "It is well documented that seatbelts significantly reduce the loss of life and degree of severe injury in the event of a road traffic collision. Research provides us with the valuable knowledge that seatbelts save lives. Where vehicle occupants choose not to wear a seatbelt, the law is clear and the police enforce the law as we know lives are saved as a result of seatbelt enforcement. Those people who chose not to wear a seatbelt expose themselves and their fellow passengers to the risk of fatal or serious injury cosequences."

The TISPOL Organisation has been established by the traffic police forces of Europe in order to improve road safety and law enforcement on the roads of Europe. Its main priority is to reduce the number of people being killed and seriously injured on Europe's roads.