Transport Minister Dr. Ewart Brown yesterday warned that if motorists are not buckled up on January 1 they will be fined.

At a press conference yesterday he said: “As the time for compliance draws near, I want to take this opportunity to please encourage members of the motoring public to be aware - if you haven't been wearing your seat belt up until now, then on January 1, if you are stopped and are not wearing your seat belt, you will be fined.”

Cars that were not manufactured with seat belts are not required to modify their vehicle and occupants of vehicles who are over 18-years-old are legally responsible for themselves, he said.

“The driver of the vehicle is legally responsible for ensuring that all occupants under the age of 18 years of age use seat belts or appropriate child restraints. If not the adult may be fined for each child not in compliance with the law,” he said.

The focus of the seat belt law is safety, Dr. Brown said, but the maximum fine for not complying with the law is $2,100.

He said that he hoped that the number of injuries to children in collisions would be lowered if parents outfit their cars with the proper child safety seats.

Children up to one year and 20 pounds must be in a rear-facing infant seat while children from and 20 to 40 pounds must be in a forward facing child seat.

No one, except for cars not fitted with seat belts, is exempt from buckling up - including commercial vehicles and taxis.