Adam Briggs - European Traffic Police Network

North Yorkshire Police joined forces with colleagues across Europe last week (8-14 September) to drive home the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt.

The force took part in the TISPOL organisation’s week-long safety campaign targeting drivers who still, despite widespread publicity, choose to break the law and risk death or serious injury.

TISPOL is the European Traffic Police Network, of which Deputy Chief Constable; Adam Briggs is the current president.

Supported by the “95 Alive” York and North Yorkshire Road Safety Partnership, officers working on Operation Anvil, the force’s current casualty reduction campaign fined 100 drivers across the force area during the week-long campaign.

Inspector Dave Brown, Head of Strategic Roads Policing, said: “Although I’m pleased to say this is notable reduction on figures from a similar campaign in February, it is still 100 too many.

“I struggle to understand why people are still prepared to risk the horrific consequences of not wearing a seatbelt. They are extremely easy to use and should be an automatic response as soon as you sit in yours or any other vehicle.

“The wearing of seatbelts became compulsory in 1983; ignorance of the law is no excuse. Figures show that seatbelts save over 2,000 lives each year. It really goes without saying why you should belt-up, even on the shortest journeys.

“Operation Anvil and the “95 Alive” Road Safety Partnership will continue to educate drivers and enforce the law over the coming months, with the sole aim of reducing casualties on the county’s roads. North Yorkshire has some of the safest streets in the country; our aim is to also have the safest roads.”