RSOs and casualty reduction officers outside Surrey County Council’s mobile exhibition unit.

‘I forgot’, seat belt non-wearers say

112 vehicles were stopped in barely four hours as part of a major clamp down on drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts in Surrey.

Surrey County Council and Surrey Police launched their seat belt education and enforcement initiative to coincide with the DfT’s national campaign. RSOs are running a series of seat belt advice days during September and October, at which those stopped are given the option of a visit to a mobile exhibition unit rather than a £30 fixed penalty notice. In the unit they watch a compilation of seat belt films, complete a campaign questionnaire and are given information and advice.

The first day - held on the A30 near Egham with the support of Royal Holloway University - saw a rush of activity. "We expected to be busy, but even so were surprised by the number of people stopped," said the campaign manager, Richard Peplow "Many seemed shocked by the films shown, even though they have all been seen on national television. A good number of people are still not aware, for example, that an unrestrained rear seat passenger can kill the front seat occupant. This shows the importance of our local campaign."

The information gathered through the questionnaires will be used as the basis for future campaigns. In answer to the question "Why were you not wearing a seat belt?" the most common responses were "I forgot", "I wasn’t thinking" or "I was distracted". The next most common excuse related to being on a short journey. Four people readily admitted that it was their usual habit to not wear a belt. 36 per cent of those questioned were either van drivers or passengers.

For more information about this campaign please contact Richard Peplow, richard.peplow@surreycc.gov.uk