Seatbelt Use Up In B.C.

By 250 News

The potentially deadly  consequences of not wearing a seatbelt were made very clear today with the unveiling of a roll-over simulator at RCMP North District Detachment in Prince George. 

The simulator is a specially designed truck cab mounted on a spindle.  It demonstrates what could happen to unbelted occupants if the truck were in a rollover crash at the speed of 48 km/hour.

According to a recent Transport Canada survey, B.C. had the largest increase in seatbelt wearing rates in the last three years compared to all other provinces. B.C. has moved from below average to among the top provinces in Canada in the rate of seatbelt use.

When ICBC first began seat belt education in 1981, the seat belt wearing rate was only 42 per cent. According to the 2004-2005 Transport Canada Survey of Seat Belt Use in Canada, BC’s seat belt rate is now 91.6 percent.

Regionally, ICBC’s data shows the 2005 rate for seat belt compliance was 87%.  Here’s the breakdown:

View the results of Transport Canada’s 2004-2005 Seat Belt Survey at Transport Canada’s web site.

It is estimated the correct use of a lap/shoulder belt system reduces the likelihood of death in a motor vehicle crash by 50 per cent.

Transport Canada estimates that a country-wide wearing rate of 95 per cent would save 1,300 lives and prevent 34,000 injuries over the next ten years.

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