POLICE today (Monday, March 9) launched a campaign to warn motorists to use their seatbelts after revealing that 688 drivers across Cleveland and Durham were issued with fixed penalty notices last year for not wearing the safety devices.

Officers said excuses for not wearing the belts have included "my clothes will get crumpled” and “it is uncomfortable” and said motorists have often spent longer making excuses than it would have taken to click their seatbelt into place.

At a seatbelt safety launch event at Stockton Riverside College today, designed to bring the message to younger drivers, Inspector Ed Turner from the Cleveland and Durham Specialist Operations Unit, said common misconceptions around seatbelts included:

*that the air bags will offer motorists enough protection for them not to be seriously injured.

*That they don’t need to wear it as they are only going a short distance.

*It would be safer in the event of an accident to be thrown from their vehicle.

Insp Turner said: “Some people actually spend longer trying to explain to officers why they haven’t worn it than it would have actually taken to put it on in the first place. We would ask people whether it’s worth risking their lives or the lives of others in their vehicle. Obviously the answer is no.

"In a crash you would be twice as likely to die if you are not wearing a seatbelt.

"Not only is it criminal but it is totally unacceptable and it costs lives.”

In 2014, 688 drivers were issued fixed penalty notices across Cleveland and Durham for not wearing their seatbelts. Some 128 passengers were found not to be wearing their seatbelts and of these 50 were aged under 14.

Under current legislation drivers are responsible for ensuring that suitable safety restraints are worn by all passengers under 14-years-old. Children must use an appropriate child car restraint for their weight until they are 135cm tall or their 12th birthday, whichever is first.

Failure to wear a seatbelt now carries a fine of £100. If prosecuted the maximum fine could be anything up to £500.

Another awareness event will take place at Darlington College on Thursday (March 12) when there will again be demonstrations and video footage.