Buckle Up or Pay

By 250 News

Tougher penalties and stiffer fines for failing to wear seatbelts take effect today.

"Last year, 397 men, women and children died in motor vehicle crashes on B.C. roads," says Solicitor General John Les. "We take this seriously, and tougher seatbelt
regulations and fines enhance our road safety program, which already includes increased enforcement, the creation of Integrated Road Safety Units, Air One and bait cars. We want everyone to buckle up because we know the single most effective method of preventing fatal car accidents is wearing seatbelts."

Changes to the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations increase the fine for not wearing a seatbelt to $167 from $138. A new fine of $598 will apply to employers or vehicle owners who allow their vehicle to be operated when there are more passengers than seatbelts in the vehicle.

The new regulations are:

Every seat used in a vehicle must have a seatbelt. A fine of $167 (includes victim surcharge) will be levied for the following:

• Operating a vehicle without seatbelts;
• Operating a vehicle with inoperative seatbelts;
• Failing to wear a seatbelt (fine increased from $138);
• Permitting passengers without seatbelts;
• Failing to remain seated;
• Failing to be the only occupant of a seat;
• Operating a vehicle while a person is riding on the vehicle;
• Operating a vehicle with more than one person in a seat;
• Operating a vehicle while a person is not seated;
• Operating a vehicle with too many seats.

Employers or owners of vehicles will receive a $598 ticket (includes victim surcharge) for any of the following:

• Requiring or allowing a vehicle to be operated with too many people in the vehicle
• Requiring or allowing a vehicle to be operated with inoperative seatbelts;
• Requiring or allowing a vehicle to be operated with too many seats.
• Operating a vehicle with too many persons in the vehicle will result in a $311 ticket (including victim surcharges).

The new regulations apply to vehicles that were manufactured with seatbelts.  Older vehicles and vehicles such as large buses that were not manufactured with seat belts are not required to be retro-fitted with seatbelts; however, they may only carry as many passengers as there are seats.     

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