Drivers in Fishguard learnt a valuable lesson on seatbelt safety last Thursday.

Haverfordwest roads policing unit, together with the Mid and West Wales Road Safety Partnership, is currently supporting the national THINK campaign, urging passengers and drivers to always wear a seatbelt.

The campaign runs until Sunday 28th February 2010 and will feature TV, cinema and radio ads, as well as enforcement activity.

In Fishguard, drivers spotted not wearing seatbelts were offered two options; to either pay an on the spot £60 fine or to watch a ten minute presentation on the dangers of not wearing a seatbelt. This was run in conjunction with the fire service and was on display in west Street car park.

In 2007 research indicated that 34% of all car occupants killed in crashes were not wearing a seatbelt.

The THINK campaign hopes to change people’s attitude and behaviour towards wearing a seatbelt in order to increase seatbelt wearing rates in the front and rear of vehicles and to develop a seatbelt wearing habit.

Chief Inspector Phil Davies said: “You are twice as likely to die in a crash if you don’t wear a seat belt. It’s such an easy thing to do and it could save your life.”

  • Child seat check days held in Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire and Powys over the last year revealed that on average approximately 80% of child seats were not fitted correctly.

Further child seat check days will be advertised locally in the coming months.

“We would encourage those drivers who travel with a baby or young child on board to please attend these events," said Chief Inspector Phil Davies. "Your child seats and restraints will be checked by a professional for free.”

If you need advice on a child seats in the interim please contact Pembrokeshire Road Safety Unit or visit http://www.protectchildgb.org.uk/