MORE than 300 motorists were pulled over for not wearing seatbelts during a police crackdown.

Officers say that drivers across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight are putting their lives at risk by not strapping themselves in and Hampshire Constabulary took part in an international week of action.

In total 312 people were stopped with 96 per cent being drivers and front seat passengers, and 11 were children.

The figure shows a drop from 376 caught in a similar campaign in September but police say their message still isn’t getting through to everyone.

Hampshire’s road safety officer Sgt Rob Heard said: “Over the last week we have been targeting those people who still fail to wear a seat belt.

“We have been using a number of methods to do this, from unmarked car and bikes to road side checks with a spotter.

“Figures from previous campaigns show that numbers are reducing which is positive to see and I am hoping the message is getting out there.

“In September 2015 we caught 376 and in March 2015, 392 were caught without a seatbelt on.

“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.”

The week of action was to part the first Tispol (European Traffic Police Network) seatbelt enforcement campaign of the year, and officers all over Europe carried out co-ordinated checks.

In total 84 per cent were male, 67 per cent were car drivers and 25 per cent were van drivers.

Child seats were checked and 56 per cent were found to be incorrectly fitted.

Sgt Heard said: “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.

“96 per cent of the people we 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.

“Always wear your seatbelt, it’s not worth the risk!.”