Study Stresses Importance Of Seatbelt Use
Wednesday, February 15, 2012 @ 1:23 PM
Prince George, B.C. – The BC Coroners Service is urging all drivers and passengers in motor vehicles to use their seatbelts at all times.
The Coroners Service has just completed a detailed study of fatal motor vehicle crashes in the Interior of the province that shows a high proportion of those who died were not wearing seatbelts – with devastating results.
Although numerous studies by the RCMP and Transport Canada show that at least 90 per cent of British Columbians wear their seatbelts, the Coroners Service study showed that fewer than 60 per cent of those who died were wearing them at the time they crashed.
Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe noted that studies throughout North America have consistently concluded that wearing a seatbelt correctly is the most effective single step vehicle occupants can take to prevent death in the event of a crash. The deaths of those who died despite correct seatbelt use confirm that some crashes are so devastating that no amount of safety equipment can save the occupants. However, coroners who attended the crashes described many examples in which seatbelt use would almost certainly have saved lives – people who were thrown through windshields, thrown around inside a vehicle, or ejected from a vehicle.
The BCCS study looked in detail at fatal motor vehicle crashes for 2010 in the Interior Region of BC, a total of 85 deaths. (Crashes involving motorcycles, cyclists or pedestrians were not included.) Of the 85 cases, only 47 per cent were wearing seatbelts at the time of the crash, 41 per cent were definitely not, and seatbelt usage was unknown in 12 per cent of the cases.
· Total number of deaths investigated: 85
· Of those, 62 per cent were drivers, and 35 per cent were passengers. In two per cent of cases, it could not be determined definitively who had been the driver in the crash.
· Of those who died, 62 per cent were male, and 38 per cent were female.
· Gender made little difference as to whether or not someone wore their seatbelt. Of the males who died, 45 per cent were wearing seatbelts, and 41.5 were not wearing them, with seatbelt usage unknown for 13.5 per cent. Of the females who died, 50 per cent were wearing them, and 41 per cent were not, with usage unknown for nine per cent.
· Persons involved in a crash in which the driver was impaired by alcohol or drugs were significantly LESS likely to have been wearing their seatbelt. In cases in which impairment was a factor, only 25 per cent of those who died had been wearing their seatbelts. Sixty-four per cent had not, and usage was unknown for 11 per cent. But in cases in which impairment was not a factor, 58 per cent were wearing their seatbelts, 30 per cent were not, and usage was unknown in 12 per cent.
· Tourists and persons who did not live in the BC Interior were significantly MORE likely to have been wearing their seatbelts than local residents. Of persons from outside the region, 61 per cent were wearing their seatbelts, 29 per cent were not, and usage was unknown for 11 per cent. For local residents, only 37 per cent were wearing their seatbelts, 49 per cent were not, and usage was unknown for 14 per cent.
Comments
Too many drivers brushing their teeth and texting while driving on this planet not to wear a seatbelt.
It should be a personal choice. I know some who were ejected and died, and some who would have died had they not been ejected.
We can climb rocks, jump out of airplanes or off bridges, but get a fine if we don’t wear a seatbelt. Go figure.
I wear my seatbelt firstly out of self preservation. Secondly the law. Thirdly because of other drivers. I’m still here.
Canadians are in love with studies of any kind, I would like to see a studie of how much money is spend on studies in a year in Canada and how much it changes things, if any
my2bits: “It should be a personal choice. I know some who were ejected and died, and some who would have died had they not been ejected.”
You have got to be kidding. Are there people who still think this way in 2012?
I’m surprised us “bay boomers” survived our childhood. What the hell was a seat belt?
If i were to have an impact with a moose i would rather not be wearing my seatbelt as i may have a chance to duck below the level of the dash.
Also i may be better off not wearing a seatbelt in a driver side impact crash IMO. I totaly agree with my2bits it should be MY choice.
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