WEST Mercia Police chiefs have urged motorists to make sure they are wearing seat belts as the force joins nationwide seatbelt campaign enforcement.

The campaign is being run from June 13 to June 26 to ensure motorists are using their seatbelts and child restraints correctly and to crackdown on people who fail to obey these rules.

According to West Mercia Police, 15 people have been killed and 50 have been seriously injured in situations where seatbelts were not worn and officers will be taking part in both enforcement and educational initiatives.

Superintendent Steph Brighton said motorists could be fined for not wearing seat belts.

She added: "Supporting this national campaign with local activities and increased enforcement is an important way of raising the issue and highlighting the dangers of not wearing a seat belt or not using a correctly fitted car seat.

"Seatbelts save lives and help to reduce the severity of an injury, seeing that some people still risk not wearing theirs is of great concern to us.

"Apart from the obvious consequences if you are involved in a collision, drivers and passengers who fail to wear seatbelts in the front or back of vehicles are breaking the law and face an on-the-spot fine of £100.

"If the case goes to court, the fine could increase to £500, so we’re urging all motorists to take our advice and 'belt up.'"

Currently, it is a legal requirement for drivers and passengers to wear a seatbelt, unless they have medical exemption and it is the driver's legal responsibility to ensure any passenger under 14 is using the appropriate child restraint.