Gardaí began Operation Lifesaver today, a two-day operation targeting speeding motorists and drivers not wearing seat belts on 15 national routes.
The operation will be led by the Garda Traffic Corps and supported by local divisional units. Results of the operation will be announced tomorrow.
A 2005 National Roads Authority survey found that 13 per cent of male drivers and 8 per cent of female motorists did not wear seat belts.
The study also discovered that 54 per cent of adults in rear seats and 30 per cent of primary school children were found not to be wearing belts.
"Non-wearing of seat belts is an offence which carries two penalty points on payment of a fixed charge or four penalty points on conviction in Court," a Garda spokesman said.
Since April 3rd, gardaí have issued 1,895 fixed charge notices over seat belt offences.
Assistant Commissioner Eddie Rock of the Garda National Traffic Bureau said: "The focus of this operation is to encourage a better compliance culture and to raise awareness in all areas of road safety, particularly in respect of speed and seat belt wearing.
"There will also be an emphasis on dangerous driving, as well as other offences such as dangerous overtaking and crossing continuous white lines. Drink driving will also be targeted."