POLICE will educate drivers about the importance of wearing a seatbelt, as part of an international campaign to reduce the number of children killed in collisions.

Dorset Police is running a week long campaign in conjunction with Dorset Roadsafe and No Excuse alongside a TISPOL Europe-wide campaign.

The number of children killed or seriously injured in collisions has risen nationally for the first time in 20 years, police say.

Concerns are raised over child seats, with data showing two in every three aren’t fitted correctly.

An international campaign will be running from Monday, March 9 to Sunday, March 15.

Police officers will attend a number of local schools at morning drop off times to enforce seatbelt and child seat laws.

Matt Butler, traffic inspector, said: “Motorists and passengers who fail to wear their seatbelts while driving will be targeted in a week-long campaign.

“Although we are achieving our child casualty reduction targets, 189 children were injured in collisions in Dorset last year. That is 189 too many.

“Wearing a seatbelt is a very simple action which drivers and passengers can carry out to increase their safety on the roads. As part of the campaign we will also be educating people about the dangers of not fitting child seats correctly.

“It is the responsibility of the driver to ensure everyone being carried in that vehicle is correctly restrained so please, take the time to ensure your child seat is properly installed and that everyone who gets into your vehicle is belted up safely."