A POLICE crackdown on drivers not wearing seat belts caught a 241 motorists on Bolton roads - in just ONE WEEK.

And throughout Greater Manchester as a whole a total of 3,145 motorists were stopped for flouting the seat belt regulations.

Police chiefs say they are "extremely disappointed" by the numbers of drivers who were caught during the campaign last month.

The police operation in Bolton, and throughout the rest of the county, was held from 14 - 20 April.

The crackdown was held to enforce the seat belt law which has been in existence for 10 years since the days of Jimmy Savile's "clunk click every trip" advertising campaign.

The number of drivers caught not using seat belts in the operation, and recent deaths in the area involving motorists also flouting the law, has concerned police chiefs.

Bolton Insp Brian Goulding, head of the town's traffic unit, said: "I'm extremely disappointed by the uncaring attitude of some of the motoring public when it comes to road safety.

"This legislation was brought about to increase in-car safety. You would have thought that after being in force for so long drivers would now be using their belts automatically."

He said the police operation, involving traffic patrols, will continue in Bolton for as long as it is felt necessary.

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