POLICE in Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale caught 107 motorists driving without a seatbelt – in just one day.

Senior police officers said they were left with serious concerns about the safety of many motorists on roads in the Pennine division as a result of the init-iative.

Police had targeted the problem because not wearing a seatbelt is known to increase the risk of serious injury and death on the roads.

Inspector Phil Davies said: “Seat belts save lives, it’s as simple as that.

“Since seatbelt wearing was made compulsory in 1983, it is estimated that casualties nation-ally have been reduced by at least 370 deaths and 7,000 serious injuries per year for front seat passengers and in excess of 70 deaths and 11,000 serious injuries for rear seat belt wearers.

“And, from a local perspective, dealing with traffic collisions day in and day out, we know that in the vast majority of cases where people are hurt, their injuries either wouldn’t have happened or would certainly have been much less severe if the driver or passengers had been wearing their seat belts.”

Last year the Lancashire Telegraph launched a campaign to educate youngsters and their parents about the importance of belting up, while encouraging passengers and drivers to wear seatbelts however long, or short, a journey.

Police have vowed to continue to target motorists who continue to break the law.

Insp Phil Davies said: “I really cannot overstate the importance of making sure you wear your seatbelt when you are in a car.

“Too many people are killed or seriously injured on our roads; it is our aim to reduce that number using a mixture of education and enforcement.

“As far as seatbelts are concerned our message is crystal clear and quite simple – belt up!