NO SEATBELT No Excuse is the key message in the latest road safety campaign from the emergency services in North Lancashire.

The strategy, called click it or ticket, is aimed at encouraging people to wear their seatbelts in cars.

Police say that in the past five years, 13 people have died in the northern division as a direct result of not wearing seatbelts.

The campaign highlights that, without a seatbelt, three out of four people will be killed or seriously injured in a 30mph head-on collision, and it is estimated that seatbelt wearing could reduce road fatalities and serous injuries by 40 per cent.

Through a combination of public education and targeted enforcement, local police aim to stress the importance of wearing seatbelts to motorists and passengers to reduce the number of accidents when not wearing a seatbelt has been a contributing factor to fatalities and admissions to hospital.

Supt Mick Marren from Lancaster police said that the campaign would start with an education phase before moving on to enforcement.

Drivers and passengers who fail to belt up can expect to receive a £30 fixed penalty ticket.

Supt Marren said: "We make no apologies for getting tough with those who fail to comply with the regulations it really can make the difference between life and death."

A recent spot check showed 20 per cent of motorists not wearing seatbelts.