Motorists caught without their seat belt on are being given the opportunity to take an online course, instead of receiving a fine.
The course, which has been designed to educate people about the dangers of not wearing a seat belt, was launched late last year and is the first to be offered online in Greater Manchester.
So far 523 people have been offered the course since it came into effect on 2 November 2015.
Not wearing a seat belt is one of the four contributing factors to fatalities on the roads along with drink and drugs, using a mobile phone and speeding.
Anyone caught without a seat belt ordinarily face a fine of £100. If prosecuted, the maximum fine is £500.
Drivers or passengers must wear a seat belt if one is fitted in the seat they’re using – there are only a few exceptions.
It is the driver’s responsibility to ensure under 14s wear a seat belt.
Officers will be running a series of enforcement days this week and will take action against anybody flouting seat belt laws.
Inspector Susan Redfern from the Road Policing Unit said: “It takes a matter of seconds to put on a seat belt and it could save not only your own life, but the life of others in the car too.
“We’d much rather educate motorists about the dangers than handing out fines and we hope the course will make people think twice about the consequences of not wearing a seat belt in future.”
Follow @gmptraffic on Twitter and the hashtag #BeltUp for updates on GMP’s seat belt operation
