MORE than two hundred parents put their children s lives at risk by ignoring seatbelt laws last year, say Cambridgeshire police. This week, to combat the problem, the county s police force launched a week-long enforcement campaign to target those who do

MORE than two hundred parents put their children's lives at risk by ignoring seatbelt laws last year, say Cambridgeshire police.

This week, to combat the problem, the county's police force launched a week-long enforcement campaign to target those who do not wear seatbelts.

All week, officers will be carrying out special patrols looking for motorists who fail to wear a seatbelt, as well as parents whose children are not buckled up.

Pc Mick McCready, casualty reduction officer, said: "Seatbelts save lives and it astonishes me that so many people continue to risk their lives by not buckling up.

"Putting on your seatbelt should be part of your routine before even starting your car and drivers should be responsible for ensuring all passengers wear their seatbelts."

Last year in Cambridgeshire, 233 fixed penalty notices were issued for children not wearing seatbelts while 5,814 fixed penalty notices were issued to adults who flouted the law.

INFORMATION: The initiative is part of a European-wide campaign organised by TISPOL (Traffic Information System Police).