IT takes just a second to put on but still more than 300 people across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight were caught putting their lives at risk by not wearing a seatbelt.

They were pulled up as part of the first Tispol (European traffic police network) seatbelt enforcement campaign, which took place from March 14-20, with police officers all over Europe conducting co-ordinated checks designed to reinforce the importance of wearing a seatbelt.

During that week officers across the two counties stopped 312 people who were not wearing their seatbelts – 96 per cent of these were drivers and front-seat passengers, and 11 of these were children.

While this figure shows a drop in the number of people failing to put their seatbelts on – 376 people were caught in September – it still shows that the message isn’t getting through to everyone.

Of those stopped, 84 per cent were male, 67 per cent were car drivers, and 25 per cent were van drivers.

Child seats were also checked as part of the initiative and of the 61 checked, 34 (56 per cent) were incorrectly fitted.

Sergeant Rob Heard, of Hampshire Police, said: “Over that week we targeted those people who still fail to wear a seatbelt, using a number of methods to do this, from unmarked cars and bikes to roadside checks with a spotter.

“Figures from previous campaigns show that numbers are reducing, which is positive to see, and I’m hoping the message is getting out there. In September 2015, we caught 376. In March 2015, 392 were caught without a seatbelt.”

He continued: “Failing to wear a seatbelt is one of the fatal four offences which has been shown to be the main causes for death and serious injuries on our roads.

“By targeting these offences we know it will save lives and prevent injury. You are twice as likely to die in a collision if you are not wearing a seatbelt. Not wearing a seatbelt can be a fatal decision even on short, familiar journeys and at low speeds.”

According to Sgt Heard, 96 per cent of those caught were front-seat drivers or passengers.

“Research has shown that in a collision if you are unrestrained you will hit the windscreen at a force of 30 to 60 times your own body weight. Please always wear your seatbelt, it’s not worth the risk,” he urged.

Just last year there were five fatalities involving people who were not wearing their seatbelt, bringing the total to 17 in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight since 2012.

Anyone failing to wear a seatbelt can be fined up to £500.