
Police in Wiltshire targeting law breakers on the road said HGV drivers were the most common offenders – and not wearing a seatbelt was the top offence.
They are now urging drivers to consider the consequences of not fastening a safety belt and described it as “a massive and unnecessary risk”.
More than 40 drivers were caught breaking the law during the three-day operation on the M4 in which officers relied on unmarked lorries to spot offences.
Those found not using a seatbelt were handed an on-the-spot £100 fixed penalty notice and given advice about the importance of the simple safety measure.
PC Luke Hobbs, from Wiltshire’s roads policing unit, said: “We often get asked why not wearing a seat belt is such a big deal.
“The reality is that you are far more likely to be seriously injured - or die - if you crash while not wearing one, whether you’re driving or a passenger.
He added: “We encourage drivers to think about the consequences not just for themselves but the family they will leave behind when they decide to take the massive and unnecessary risk of not wearing a seat belt.”
During the operation, the police also arrested a van driver on suspicion of drug driving after he was initially stopped for not being in proper control of his vehicle.