Seat belt day of action 1/9/10
Police are undertaking a crackdown on parents who fail to make their children wear a seatbelt children.
The 24 hour day of action taking place today coincides with the 21st anniversary of making it illegal for children not to wear seat belts in the rear of cars.
In Scotland, it is estimated that 1 in 3 people who are killed in vehicles in are not wearing seatbelts. Half of them could have been saved had they worn a seatbelt.
Despite the obvious risk, police figures show that on average 27,000 drivers and passengers are caught every year in Scotland not wearing a seatbelt.
Inspector John Smith of Northern Constabulary said: “We are still finding people who are not wearing a seatbelt.
"This is totally unacceptable behaviour and highlights that vehicle occupants are continuing to show a complete disregard for their own safety.
"Of particular concern to us are drivers who put the lives of children at risk by allowing them to travel unrestrained. Children should never be allowed to travel in a vehicle without being properly restrained and the driver is responsible."
He added: "These actions are unacceptable and officers will be targeting vehicle occupants who continue to break the law. We will be utilising marked and unmarked police vehicles."