by Stephen Dafoe
Although not the only thing RCMP will task themselves this month, seatbelt safety is on their list. Each month, the Alberta Traffic Safety Calendar has a different educational component and March’s target is seatbelts.
The use of seatbelts has been mandatory in Alberta for the past 25 years, having become law in June of 1987; however, statistics show many seat-belt offences remain.
“In 2021, 5,279 motorists were pulled over for seatbelt-related offences in Alberta RCMP jurisdiction; 5,123 adults and 156 children were improperly restrained in a vehicle,” said Alberta RCMP Traffic Services Inspector Chris Romanchych. “We want Albertans to understand that the small practice of buckling up makes a big difference. Your seatbelt is the only thing keeping you safely restrained in a vehicle’s engineered occupant life space during impact. Unfortunately, there have been far too many collisions in Alberta in which the simple act of wearing a seatbelt could have prevented fatalities.”
Alberta RCMP asks both motorists and passengers to keep in mind the following when buckling up:
• Seatbelts should be worn at all times by vehicle occupants and securely fastened before putting your vehicle into motion.
• Ensure the lap belt is positioned low across your hips and the shoulder belt is always sitting across the centre of your chest.
• Do not allow the seatbelt to become twisted. The width of the belt is required to spread the force from a collision across the body (Alberta Transportation, 2017).
• Always use the seatbelts provided on off-road or recreational vehicles.
• Motorists are responsible for ensuring both themselves and passengers under the age of 16-years-old are using proper occupant restraints. The fine for seatbelt infractions in Alberta is $162.
Alberta RCMP regularly offers traffic tips on Facebook @RCMPinAlberta and Twitter @RCMPAlberta.