The action is part of an operation coordinated by TISPOL, the European Traffic Police Network, and will see vehicle occupants who do not wear their seatbelt issued with a penalty

TISPOL president Koen Ricour said: ‘Using a seatbelt is a quick and simple task; it’s also a very effective way of reducing the consequences of a collision. That’s why wearing a seatbelt is not a matter of personal choice, but is compulsory for drivers and passengers in every European country. Yet there are still drivers and passengers who for whatever reason do not use a seatbelt.

‘We urge drivers to take responsibility for their own safety and for the safety of their passengers, by ensuring everyone wears a seatbelt on every road journey. After all, the use of seatbelts is the single most effective method of reducing fatalities and serious injuries in motor vehicle collisions.’

A similar week-long operation in March 2013 detected 104,838 people not wearing a seatbelt. Of these, a total of 3,245 related to children not wearing seatbelts or other safety restraints.