MOTORISTS in south Worcestershire have been urged by police not to fall foul of increased fixed penalties for seat-belt offences.

As from Tuesday, June 30 fines have now doubled - from £30 to £60 - for all seat-belt offences, whether involving the driver, adult passengers and/or children.

Between April 2007 and March 2008, 2,203 fixed penalties were issued for seat-belt offences – 1,029 in Worcester City, 868 in Wychavon and 306 in Malvern Hills.

In the following 12 months – April 2008 to March 2009 – the number dropped drastically to a total of 1,418, with Wychavon topping the offences table with 622, while Worcester had 502 and Malvern Hills 294.

Combined fines for the two periods were £108,630.

If the same number of offences occur during the next two years, drivers will face fines totalling £217,260.

A spokesman from South Worcestershire Police said: “The 100 per cent increase is a timely reminder of just how important it is for everyone in every vehicle to always wear a seat-belt.

“We always hope that the vast majority of drivers - and passengers - view wearing seat-belts as a positive in terms of road safety. If, however, a hand-full see it as avoiding an increased fine then that is good too.”

Mr Mike Digger, traffic management adviser to South Worcestershire Police, said: “While the number of fatalities on the division is steadily falling, there has been an increase in the number of these tragic incidents where – we believe – a fatality may not have occurred if a seat-belt had been worn.

“Similarly with road traffic incidents resulting in serious injuries. In many case, these injuries could have been greatly minimised if those involved had been using a seat-belt.

“Anything that encourages seat-belt usage – including doubling fines, which tends to make people more focused – has to be welcomed.”