SGI Trying To Reduce Crash Test Dummy Numbers In January

Not buckling up your seatbelt might not be a great idea in January unless you don’t mind sparing some cash as seatbelts are SGI's Traffic Safety Spotlight for January.

Wearing a seat belt in a motor vehicle has been the law in Saskatchewan since 1977 or 45 years ago.

Seatbelts were made mandatory in vehicles in the mid 1960's in Canada after data showed they reduced death and serious injury in accidents.

The data was obtained by simulated car crashes making use of crash test dummies.

The results became part of a public information campaign where the dummies were featured pre and post accident with the slogan “Don’t be a Dummy Buckle Up”.

Crash Test Dummies used in a Tv campaign promoting seatbelt use

According to SGI's release there is a mountain of scientific evidence that seatbelts save lives; not wearing one significantly increases the chances that you’ll be seriously injured – or worse – if you’re involved in a collision. 

In 2021, one-third of the vehicle occupant deaths on Saskatchewan roads involved a person who wasn’t wearing a seatbelt.

Since approximately 95 per cent of people do buckle up, that means the people who don’t are more likely be killed in a collision, the release stated.

SGI would like those who are not wearing seatbelts to make it their New Year’s resolution to make it a habit.

 During January the police will be making an extra effort to ensure people are properly wearing their seatbelts.

 For children under the ag of 16 it is the driver's responsibility to ensure they are properly buckled in.

It is also the driver's responsibility to ensure that if car or booster seats are required are properly installed and inspected by a technician.

 Failure to wear a seatbelt properly is a $175 plus the loss of three points under the Safe Driver Recognition program.