93 percent of Canadians are doing it. Why aren't you?

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE MARIE
POLICE SERVICE

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The Sault Ste Marie Police Service is committed to increasing road safety awareness for the City of Sault Ste Marie and Prince Township.

Seat belts are important part of a vehicle’s safety system, and are the single most effective way to reduce the chance of injury or death in a motor vehicle collision. 

Transport Canada statistics backup what police know:

Today 93% of Canadians use their seat belts.

Each percentage increase in the national seat belt wearing rate has helped to reduce the number of motor vehicle fatalities.

The 7% of Canadians not wearing seat belts account for almost 40% of fatalities in vehicle collisions.

Seat belts save about 1,000 lives a year in Canada.

With this in mind, during the month of April, officers from Patrol and Traffic Services with the Sault Ste. Marie Police Service will be conducting seatbelt checks throughout the City of Sault Ste Marie and Prince Township.

Persons found to be in contravention of the Highway Traffic Act will be charged and face a fine of $240 and drivers will also face the loss of 2 demerit points.

Drivers are further advised they are responsible for anyone under 16 who is not wearing a seatbelt. 

Officers will not only be checking for persons wearing their seatbelts but also that belts are being worn properly.

Here are some points to remember:

• Seat belts must be in proper working condition.
• A seat belt won't protect you if it is not worn properly. Take a few seconds to position the lap portion of your seat belt snug to your body and low on the hips. Never wear the shoulder strap under the arm where it could damage your ribs.
• A seat belt keeps the driver behind the wheel and in control in a collision. It helps keep your head and body from hitting the inside of the vehicle.
• A seat belt keeps you inside the vehicle during a collision, rather than being thrown through a windshield or door onto the roadway.
• Without a seatbelt, passengers become high-speed projectiles in a collision.

Remember seatbelts save lives.

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