Motorists were stopped by police targeting Horndean and Cowplain this week.

A total of 128 people were pulled over for not wearing a seat belt and 104 of these opted to attend a road safety presentation as an alternative to a fine.

A further three people were prosecuted for mobile phone offences.

Sergeant Jason Kirby, of the Safer Roads Partnership, said: 'Wearing seat belts is compulsory because it saves lives and reduces the severity of injuries.

'Despite publicity about the dangers of not belting up there are still a surprising number of people who ignore the messages.

'If you crash at 30mph and are not wearing belts you will hit the interior of the car or other passengers with a force of between 30 and 60 times your own body weight.'

Motorists who chose to attend the presentations at Horndean Fire Station were given a hard-hitting talk about the dangers of their behaviour by Hampshire County Council Road Safety and Hampshire Fire Service officers.

Those who chose not to attend were fined.

The initiative covered areas of London Road, Portsmouth Road, Havant Road and Portsmouth Road in Horndean, and Milton Road in Cowplain.

Sgt Kirby added: 'Joint casualty reduction initiatives like this involving the local authority, the police and the fire service provide a unique opportunity to offer offenders education as an alternative to a fine and points.

'Our message is, make certain everyone in the vehicle wears an appropriate, properly-adjusted seat belt on every journey.'