Exmouth motorists warned

MOTORISTS who dodge the law by not wearing seatbelts and drivers with incorrectly-marked registration plates will be penalised by increased fines. Fixed penalty notices for both offences doubled from �30 to �60 last week. The offences, however, will not r

MOTORISTS who dodge the law by not wearing seatbelts and drivers with incorrectly-marked registration plates will be penalised by increased fines.

Fixed penalty notices for both offences doubled from �30 to �60 last week. The offences, however, will not result in drivers receiving points on their license.

Devon and Cornwall Police have warned they would not hesitate imposing the fines on motorists who failed to comply.

Inspector Richard Pryce, from the roads policing unit, said it needed to be made clear that saving lives was important and those who did not obey were putting people at risk.

He added: "Many motorists and passengers adhere to the law and wear seatbelts making them safer in a vehicle should it be involved in a collision.

"Failing to display a registration mark correctly is an offence and it is against the law to sell non-conforming registration marks for display on vehicles used on the roads.

"Those who interfere with the spacing and letters shown on a number plate are deliberately committing an offence.

"Increasing the fixed penalty sends a clear message to all motorists that saving lives on the roads is taken seriously.

"Anyone found not complying will face these higher fines if they are caught failing to take this vital safety precaution.

"Although people can purchase certain marks to display on vehicles, they remain the property of the Secretary of State.

"Owners who flout the law run the risk of having their registration marks withdrawn by the DVLA without any compensation.