This release was issued under a previous government.

Seatbelts save lives

For the month of March, Alberta Transportation and the Alberta Occupant Restraint Program are emphasizing the use of occupant restraints for adults and children while travelling in vehicles.

“While Albertans have significantly increased their seatbelt use in the past 15 years, almost five per cent of Albertans still do not wear them regularly. Simply put, seatbelts save lives and we all need to wear them to make sure everyone gets home safely at the end of each day.”

Wayne Drysdale, Minister of Transportation

“The statistics speak for themselves, close to 95 per cent of the motoring public use occupant restraints yet almost a third of all vehicle fatalities in the province were as a result of occupants who chose not to buckle up. To dramatically increase your chances of surviving injury or worse in a collision, please wear your seatbelt.”

Rick Gardner, Deputy Director, Alberta Sheriffs Traffic Operations

Seatbelt Facts

  • From 2008 to 2013, there were 383 unbelted fatalities in Alberta.
  • About 20 per cent of those fatalities involved 18- to 24-year old men.
  • Seatbelts can improve the chances of surviving a collision from 45 to 65 per cent, depending on the type of vehicle and seating position.
  • Drivers are responsible for ensuring that all passengers under the age of 16 are properly secured using either a child safety seat or seatbelt.  Drivers may be fined $115 for each unrestrained passenger under the age of 16.