HUNDREDS of motorists received a costly reminder about wearing seatbelts when Kent Police went looking for the significant minority of motorists who still fail to belt up.

Out of 1,157 motorists stopped by police officers between April 4 and 10, more than 400 were issued with £30 fixed penalty notices for not wearing (or failing to ensure that their passengers were wearing) a seat belt.

Out of the total, 10 were fined because a child was not safely belted up.

The clampdown was part of a Europe-wide seatbelt enforcement campaign, which is supported by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO).

Sgt Nick Silvester, senior investigator in Kent Police’s serious collision investigation unit, said: "We make no apologies for getting tough with those who fail to comply with the law – it really can make the difference between life and death.

"Already this year, in six out of 26 fatal collisions that we’ve investigated the dead or injured party was not wearing a seatbelt.

"If you’re in a car crash but you’re wearing a seatbelt, your chance of receiving fatal or serious injuries is reduced by around 50 per cent."