Dozens of drivers have been caught not wearing a seatbelt during a police crackdown in Norfolk.  

During the two-week police operation, 183 vehicles were stopped and 229 offences were detected.  

Under Operation Tramline, police carried out patrols across the county’s roads from April 13 to 27 and resulted in the arrest of three people. 

Using a tractor unit as a vantage point, officers could look directly into the cabs of other lorry drivers and motorists to check they were wearing their seatbelts and not engaging in attention-distracting behaviour such as using mobile phones or watching videos. 

The unusual tactic comes after a March campaign saw uniformed officers riding on First buses across the county to catch drivers on their phones.

Eastern Daily Press: Norfolk Police boarded buses in a previous operationNorfolk Police boarded buses in a previous operation (Image: Norfolk Constabulary)Sgt Ade Hales, of the joint Roads and Armed Policing Team, said: “We are seeing a dangerously high number of people who think it is acceptable to not wear a seatbelt this year. 

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“It is the simplest safety precaution you can take when travelling in a vehicle and ultimately it can save your life.  

“It has been the law for drivers to wear a seatbelt for the past 40 years. We should not be having to remind you.”

During the operation, a total of 183 vehicles were stopped, including 51 HGVs, 33 LGVs and 99 smaller vehicles.

229 offences were detected and drivers were issued with Traffic Offence Reports (TORs).

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Almost a third of the offences were committed by 71 individuals who were not wearing a seatbelt.  

Others included a registration plate offence, speeding and driving under the influence of drugs. 

Officers handed out 167 TORs, arrested three people and issued words of advice to 13 drivers. 

More than £6,000 worth of fines were given to drivers, with the majority being for driving an overweight vehicle - the heaviest of which was 79.4pc overweight. 

Four vehicles were seized and seven drivers were referred to the Traffic Commissioner.