Seat Belts: Still Your Best Ally

Isn’t it surprising that a safety device developed more than 60 years ago continues to save lives? The good old seat belt made its automotive debut in 1949 and has remained an essential safety precaution ever since.

According to recent studies conducted by the SAAQ, Quebec’s automotive insurance agency, 96% of drivers and passengers in Quebec wear their seatbelts. But in fatal car crashes, it seems that more than 30% of victims didn’t have their seatbelts buckled at the time of impact. This unfortunate statistic climbs to nearly 40% among people between 25 and 49 years old. The numbers also show that as blood alcohol level rise, seatbelt usage rates decline.

So the message is clear: buckle up, even if you’re going for a short drive at a slow speed. More than half of all reported accidents occur in zones allowing 50 km/h or less. According to the SAAQ, wearing your seatbelt halves your chances of being killed or seriously injured in the case of an accident. There’s also no truth behind the myth that seatbelts are hazardous to unborn babies. Pregnant women should wear their belts, since this will not only keep expectant mothers far from the dashboard in case of impact, but it will also better distribute the force of the impact.

Reminder: Wearing a seatbelt is required by law for both front and rear passengers across Canada. Even though automakers have developed all kinds of new electronic safety systems—from airbags to collision warning systems with automatic braking—nothing beats seatbelts for safety!