MOTORISTS across the Dyfed-Powys police area are the worst in Wales for not wearing seatbelts.

A Wales-wide police campaign found of the 1,497 drivers stopped for not wearing a seatbelt, 958 of them were in Dyfed Powys.

The two-week Seatbelt Campaign took place between March 7 and 21 to raise awareness amongst drivers and passengers of the dangers of not wearing seatbelts in the event of a collision.

Inspector Mike Melly from Dyfed-Powys Police’s Roads Policing Unit said: “Wearing a seatbelt when driving or as a passenger can save lives, but it is disappointing that 1,497 people still chose not to buckle up and put themselves and others at risk.

“Not wearing a seatbelt is considered one of the ‘Fatal 5’ – we have a robust strategy around enforcing the ‘Fatal 5’ offences which are failing to wear a seat belt, drink and drug driving, dangerous and careless driving including unnecessary risk taking, speeding and using a mobile phone while driving

“The risk of being seriously injured or killed rises dramatically if a decision is taken to commit a ‘Fatal 5’ offence and I want people to be aware of the devastating affect it can have and make a conscious decision not to take any chances.”

Of the other 539 drivers stopped in the rest of Wales during this year's campaign, 146 were in North Wales, 347 were in South Wales and 46 in Gwent.

Susan Storch, Dyfed-Powys Police Road Safety Officer and Chair of Road Safety Wales said: “Putting on your seatbelt is such a simple act to carry out before your journey, especially when you’re twice as likely to die in a crash if you don’t.”

Despite the campaign running last year, it seems Dyfed-Powys drivers are still the worst offenders.

724 of the 1,257 people stopped across Wales in the 2015 campaign were stopped in the Dyfed-Powys area.

Inspector Melly added: “Our aim is to save lives and prevent families from having to deal with the aftermath of a collision in which someone is not wearing a seatbelt.

“Please always wear your seatbelt – it’s not worth the risk.”

For further information on how to keep you and your family safe, please visit think.direct.gov.uk/seat-belts.html