TWO CHILDREN in the rear of a vehicle were among dozens of people found not wearing seatbelts during a 24-hour police campaign in Tayside, it was revealed last night.

Officers carried out the high-profile operation, which focused on speeding and seatbelt offences, in tandem with forces across the country.

In Tayside alone a total of 49 drivers were detected speeding and 68 people found not wearing seat belts in the period between 7am on Thursday and 7am yesterday.

Sixty-one drivers were detected not wearing seatbelts, as well as three front seat adult passengers, two back seat adult passengers and the two children.

Chief Inspector Sandy Bowman, head of road policing in Tayside, said, “These high profile and much-publicised 24-hour campaigns provide the public with a snap shot of what is happening on our roads.

“Clearly everyone can see that there are still significant numbers of people who are choosing to break the law in respect of seatbelts and speeding and are putting lives at risk.

“The fact that their behaviour is frankly unacceptable is recognised across the community.

“Tayside Police regularly hears from concerned members of the public who are worried that the irresponsible behaviour of a minority of drivers will have dire repercussions for innocent people.

“I find it very hard to believe that drivers and passengers are unaware of the legislation that applies to them.

“But it is all too apparent that we will have to continue in our efforts to educate them, so there can be no doubt whatsoever over the dangers they are exposing themselves and others to,” he added.

“I would appeal to drivers to observe the speed limits and, importantly, drive according to the conditions and environment they are in.

“It is quite simply total folly not to wear a seatbelt and I trust those who we dealt with will realise the potential harm that could have been done.

“All I would ask all adults is to ensure that they use their seatbelts at all times and make absolutely certain that any children in their care are properly and safely restrained. Think of the consequences of not doing this.

“A very simple, common sense action could be the difference between life and death. Never assume it won’t happen to you. Don’t risk it.”

The operation was the fourth seatbelt and speeding “day of action” this year led by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Scotland (ACPOS).

Police forces across the country caught 545 motorists and passengers not wearing their seatbelt and over 200 speeders. A total of nine children were observed not wearing seatbelts, resulting in tickets being issued to the drivers.

In Fife, eight motorists were detected for speeding and 19 for seatbelt offences.

During the course of the day officers detected a 18-year-old man, who had just held his license for nine months, driving at over 60mph in a 30mph area in Dunfermline.

They also traced a young male who had allegedly taken his brother’s high-performance car without permission and was speeding in the region of 100mph near Kirkcaldy.

Chief Inspector John McDonald said, “We will continue to enforce these road safety matters until it becomes the norm for people to wear their seatbelts and comply with speed limits.”