Dorset Police is taking part in an International Seatbelt Campaign in an effort to reduce the number of children killed or seriously injured in road traffic collisions.
Dorset Police is running the week long campaign alongside a TISPOL Europe-wide campaign and in conjunction with Dorset Roadsafe and No Excuse.
The number of children killed or seriously injured in traffic collisions has risen nationally for the first time in 20 years.
Findings show that two in every three child seats are not fitted correctly.
The international campaign will be running from Monday 9 March to Sunday 15 March 2015 and will see officers from Dorset Police attending a number of local schools at morning drop off times to enforce seatbelt and child seat laws.
Traffic Inspector Matt Butler said: “Motorists and passengers who fail to wear their seatbelts while driving will be targeted in a week-long campaign.
“Although we are achieving our child casualty reduction targets, 189 children were injured in collisions in Dorset last year. That is 189 too many.
“Wearing a seatbelt is a very simple action which drivers and passengers can carry out to increase their safety on the roads. As part of the campaign we will also be educating people about the dangers of not fitting child seats correctly.
“It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure everyone being carried in that vehicle is correctly restrained so please, take the time to ensure your child seat is properly installed and that everyone who gets into your vehicle is belted up safely”.
Any motorists needing advice on the fitting of child seats can contact their local authority road safety department, or attend any of the free car seat check sessions held by Bournemouth Road Safety Department.
Free car seat check sessions are being held between 11am and 4pm at the Littledown Centre, Bournemouth on:
Monday 9 March 2015
Thursday 4 June 2015
Tuesday 4 August 2015
Tuesday 24 November 2015
For more information please go to www.dorset.police.uk or contact your local authority road safety department.
