Seatbelt crackdown across Scotland uncovers 378 offences Published duration 13 September 2013

More than 350 motoring offences were detected by police during a day of action to check drivers and passengers were wearing their seatbelts.

Police across Scotland recorded 378 offences during their 24-hour crackdown from 07:00 on Wednesday.

Among the drivers not strapped in was a woman in Arbroath, Angus, whose children were also not wearing seatbelts.

She was also a provisional licence holder and had no L-plates.

In Fife, a lorry driver was stopped for not wearing his seatbelt. It was then found that the vehicle was being driven without insurance.

Fatal crash

Seatbelt offences attract a £100 fine via a fixed penalty ticket.

Police branded the number of offences "very disappointing" and stressed that wearing seatbelts can save lives.

Inspector Grant Edward said: "If you are involved in a collision, wearing one will reduce the risk of serious or fatal injury by 50%.

"In addition, many of the other life-saving features in a vehicle such as airbags are designed around the occupants wearing their seatbelts.

"So it is vitally important that everyone who is travelling in a vehicle wears their seatbelts, otherwise the effectiveness of these life-saving devices is severely reduced."