MOTORISTS are being warned to belt up or face the legal consequences.

Police in North Yorkshire are planning a series of seatbelt checks across the county, starting on Monday.

They are taking part in a seatbelt safety action week across the region and officers plan checks across North Yorkshire.

"Officers in every part of the county will be keeping a special watch for drivers and passengers not wearing their belts," said Inspector Chris Charlton.

"And there will be a series of unpublicised static checks set up to bring offenders to book and to give advice to all road users."

A study of 292 fatal road accidents in North Yorkshire showed that 36 of those who died were definitely not wearing belts.

Insp Charlton said: "I cannot say with certainty that all those 36 would have survived if they had worn belts, but I am sure a significant number of them would have been alive today if they had thought to buckle up at the start of their journey.

"Every road policing officer has seen the consequences for accident victims of not wearing seatbelts, and you can take it from me that it is an ugly and unpleasant experience.

"That is why police officers across the region are hammering home the message of seatbelt safety - and backing that message with firm action."