SITCIOT - Stick It to Click It or Ticket

Politicians in the Channel Island of Jersey have agreed to a law mandating the use of rear seat belts. BBC News story.

North Yorkshire Police have issued 349 seat belt tickets in the first two weeks of February, as part of the department’s road safety campaign, and warn that more is to come.

The current belt enforcement campaign is being run in conjunction with TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network.

The press report highlights the fact that yet again Britain is suffering from further European integration under the auspices of a fledgling pan-European police force.

Nottinghamshire County Council is running a “Do It Up” campaign, with an accompanying short film, which can be viewed at the council’s website here.

Jersey brain-injury charity Headway is attempting to convince the States of Jersey government to make the use of rear belts compulsory for adults on the island. Jersey did not introduce mandatory use of front belts by either adults or children until January 1, 1999.

As reported by the BBC.

Silver Anniversaries are usually something to celebrate.  Alas, that is not so in this case, since today marks the 25th anniversary of the first mandatory seat-belt use legislation in the United Kingdom.

It was January 31, 1983 that the law came into force across the nation requiring drivers and all front-seat passengers to use a belt, if fitted.   The initial legislation was for a trial period of 3 years, becoming permanent in 1986.   Laws requiring children under 14 to use belts in rear seats, then for all rear-seat occupants to buckle up where belts are available followed in 1989 and 1991 respectively.

Police and safety organizations today are still pressing for increased penalties against those who do not buckle up.  Two takes on the 25th anniversary from the Daily Mail and the BBC.

In another of the recurring month-long enforcement campaigns run by the various county police forces around Britain, Wiltshire Police plan to mount a seat belt blitz during February.

As reported by the local Gazette & Herald.