The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
To promote greater seat-belt use to reduce injuries, Manitoba drivers will now get a two-demerit penalty for failing to buckle up, Transportation and Government Services Minister Scott Smith has announced. "We will work with our partners in law enforcement and other road safety stakeholders to raise public awareness of the need to use passenger restraints," said Smith. "It is important to remember that these statistics represent human fatalities and suffering that can be reduced by taking the simple action of buckling up. Manitobans can Ð and must Ð take responsibility for making our roads safer." The Highway Traffic Act requires everyone in a motor vehicle to use their seat-belt and every child under five years old and fifty pounds to be in an approved child restraint device unless a specific exemption applies. Failure to comply may result in fines of $100 for drivers and/or passengers. Effective Nov. 1, a two-demerit point penalty will also be assessed on drivers convicted of failing to wear their seat-belt. Drivers who accumulate six or more demerit points incur insurance surcharges on their driver's licence which start at $200. Demerit points also affect their vehicle insurance premium discounts for safe driving. Six jurisdictions (Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, Newfoundland, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia) assess demerit points for seat-belt violations. On average, these provinces have a 91 per cent wearing rate compared to 86 per cent for those provinces that do not assess demerit points for seat-belt violations. In a national survey by Transport Canada, Manitoba had among the lowest rates of wearing seat-belts in Canada at 82 per cent. Transport Canada statistics show the use of occupant restraints will reduce the likelihood of being injured or killed in a traffic crash by 55 and 75 per cent respectively. "Seat-belt use in Manitoba is below the national average which is unacceptable when such a simple effort has been proven to save lives and reduce personal injuries," said Smith. "If drivers choose not to use their seat-belts, then they have to be prepared for the consequences."10/31/2003
