HAMPSHIRE police traffic officers will mark the anniversary of compulsory seat belt use with reminders to drivers.

Today (Friday) marks 20 years since the law in Great Britain required seat belts to be worn. Throughout Hampshire, officers will be reinforcing the seat belt message to motorists.

The ConstabularyÕs casualty reduction officer Sergeant Kory Thorne said: ÒWe would much rather advise people about the importance of wearing seat belts and ensuring passengers, especially children, are restrained properly, than prosecute individuals.

ÒSeat belts are by far the most important piece of life-saving equipment in motor vehicles today.

ÒAirbags and impact protection devices are good safety features, but they will not stop you or a family member being thrown violently inside or outside the vehicle following a collision.Ó

He said traffic officers often see the horrific consequences of people not wearing seat belts, despite the fact that serious head and facial injuries can so easily be avoided.

ÒWe often see parents safely belted in, but their children are unrestrained in a back seat. This is utter madness.

ÒNot only are parents playing with their childÕs life, they are risking their own.

ÒIf a driver has to stop suddenly, he will more than likely be hit by an unbelted child in the rear seat, who will continue to travel at the same speed the car was moving prior to braking,Ó Sgt Thorne said.

You must wear a seat belt if one is fitted. There are few exceptions to this and the driver is liable to prosecution if a child under 14 years does not wear a seat belt.

You must not carry an unrestrained child in the front seat of any vehicle.

Children under three years travelling in the front of any vehicle must be carried in an appropriate child restraint.

If an appropriate child restraint is fitted in the front, but not in the rear, children under three must use that restraint.

If an appropriate child restraint or seat belt is available in the front, but not in the rear, children between 3 and 11 and under 1.5m in height must use the front seat restraint or seat belt.