Although it became mandatory to wear seatbelts from 31 January 1983 police still have to reinforce the message.

Officers are tackling seat belt offences throughout June as part of a national seat belt safety campaign.

Drivers or adult passengers caught not wearing a belt face a £100 fixed penalty notice or up to a £500 fine in court.

All children must use the appropriate child restraint correct for their age when travelling in a vehicle until they reach 135cm tall or their 12th birthday. After this point all children must wear a seat belt. All children’s car seats must be EU approved and are marked with an ‘E’ label. They must be suitable for the child’s weight and size and correctly fitted according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Drivers can be fined up to £500 if a child aged under 14 isn’t in the correct car seat or wearing a seat belt while they are driving.

Inspector Craig Tatton, of the Roads Policing Team, said “We will be out over the coming weeks in local communities and on main routes tackling seat belt offences, in addition to the other high-risk road traffic offences. It is scientifically proven that if you are involved in a collision and you are not wearing a seat belt, you are more likely to suffer a serious or even fatal injury. The law exists to ensure people’s safety. If you are seriously injured it affects not only you, but also your family and friends who will all have to live with the decision that you made not to use this simple safety measure.

“I have had to tell a grieving family that their loved one died because they weren’t wearing a seat belt.  It is heartbreaking and needless. Please don’t let it be you.”