Safety is a Belt "Click" Away

The Alberta RCMP, as part of their #TrafficSafety campaign, are reminding all drivers and passengers of the dangers of not buckling up.

 

Collisions that result in injuries or deaths are far more likely when any occupants in the vehicle are not wearing their seatbelts. Unfortunately that results in more numerous cases of harmful collisions.

 

 Superintendent Rick Gardner of Alberta Sheriffs describes that wearing a seatbelt can drastically protect you in case of a collision.

 

 "Occupant restraints reduce the likelihood of sustaining injury and decrease the severity of the injury," says Gardner. "Wearing a seatbelt and ensuring all passengers are properly restrained is a simple and effective way to ensure your safety and that of others in a  collision."

 

 Constable Mike Hibbs from Media Relations with the RCMP says that in past years, the number of injuries and deaths for seatbelt related vehicle collisions has been unsettling.

 

 "Over the years of 2012 and 2016, according to Alberta Transportation, there were 341 people either injured or killed in collisions and they weren't wearing their seatbelts at the time of the collision."

 

 Seatbelts, when used correctly, can save lives. However, occupants of vehicles are not always securing the seatbelt properly.

 

 Hibbs says that they often see cases of improper seatbelt use.

 

 "Wearing your seatbelt properly, of course, is a big thing for your safety in the vehicle," comments Hibbs. "We see a lot of times that people are not wearing their seatbelts properly like the seatbelt is under their arm. It should be worn properly over the shoulder and across the hip and that gives you greater protection in a collision"

 

 However, sometimes the occupants are too young to secure their belts for themselves. In such cases, a car seat must be used correctly in order to ensure the infant's safety.

 

 Constable Hibbs suggests programs that teach parents how to place and secure car seats into the vehicle such as the Public Health Nursing program.

 

 "If you have a newborn child and are unfamiliar with how to put the car seat in the car, the public health nurses will offer great programs in teaching you proper, secure ways to install car seats in the car."

 

 With all the safety right in the palm of their hands, Hibbs does not understand why vehicle passengers and drivers would not take the time to safely secure their seatbelts.

 

 "That's a question that I guess they should ask themselves."

 

 For more #TrafficSafety tips and tricks visit the hashtag @RCMPinAlberta on Facebook or @RCMPAlberta on Twitter.