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On-the-spot fines raised

Drivers caught without a seatbelt or putting illegal number plates will now face on-the-spot fines of £60, up from the current £30.

The increase follows a public consultation on how to tackle motorists who fail to follow seatbelt laws, despite warnings that they are risking serious injury or death to themselves and others.

The increase in fixed penalty also covers illegal number plates. This includes failure to conform with rules on font, size and colour of number plates. The use of illegal number plates can have a significant impact on criminal investigations and crime detection.

Road Safety Minister Paul Clark said: "Every day someone dies because they do not think they always need to use a seat belt. This tragic waste could be avoided if everyone took the simple step of belting up every time they got in a car. 

"That's why we run hard-hitting campaigns which highlight the injuries you are likely to receive if you are involved in a collision when not using a seatbelt – even at low speeds.  I am confident that these campaigns, along with the increased fixed penalty for not using a seatbelt, will mean that fewer people are needlessly killed on our roads."

Further information

• Wearing a seat belt and exemptions

• Driver safety

• Personalised reg and number plates