Most drivers caught said they had just forgotten

Police held targeted road checks throughout March and issued 436 fixed penalty notices costing �30 to motorists.

Officers are said to be surprised at the number of people caught during the crackdown.

It has been 20 years since wearing front seat belts became law and 12 years since rear seat belt wearing became compulsory.

Police said drivers gave numerous excuses for not wearing their belts, the most common being that they had simply forgotten.

Risking lives

But others said that because they were not travelling a long distance, it was not worth strapping themselves in.

Since the early 1980s, seatbelts have saved around 50,000 lives and prevented nearly 600,000 serious casualties in the United Kingdom.

Road Safety Co-ordinator for Leicestershire Constabulary, James Gibson, said: "It is amazing that so many people continue to choose not to wear a seat belt.

"A Fixed Penalty Notice incurs a �30 fine but failing to wear your belt could cost you much more.