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Monthly Enforcement

The traffic safety focus for the month of March is Occupant Restraints.

Whether you’re a driver or a passenger, buckling up is one of the simplest things you can do to protect yourself in a collision. Seatbelts help secure you in your vehicle in case a collision occurs. Using a seatbelt reduces the chance you will be injured in a collision, as well as decreases the severity of your injuries. The one second it takes to fasten your seatbelt could save your life.

Occupant Restraints Facts:

  • From 2017 to 2021, there were 201 unbelted fatalities in Alberta.
  • About a fifth of those fatalities were those aged 18 to 24 years old.
  • During 2021, 35 people died and 250 people sustained injuries as a result of not being properly restrained at the time of the collision.
  • In 2021, restraint users involved in collisions had a much lower injury rate (7.4 per cent) than those not using restraints (14.5 per cent).
  • A 2017 Driver Attitude Survey indicated 95 per cent of Albertans agree that when driving or riding in a motor vehicle, one should always wear a seatbelt.
  • Without a booster seat, a child is three and a half times more likely to suffer a significant injury.
  • Airbags offer additional protection in collisions but are designed to supplement the safety features provided by seatbelts. Always buckle up!

For more information contact:

Sgt. Stacey Fishley
Traffic Unit
Medicine Hat Police Service
Ph: 403-529-8471