Seatbelt non-use linked to deaths in Manitoba

The message about the safety of seatbelts appears to not be getting through to many Manitobans.

Thirty per cent of road deaths in the province are linked to people not buckling up, according to Manitoba Public Insurance (MPI).

On average, 31 people are killed yearly in Manitoba because they did not use a seatbelt, according to police-reported data between 2005 to 2009. In total, 156 people were killed and another 325 seriously injured over that span of time, an MPI news release stated.

"Manitoba data clearly shows that people who fail to use their seatbelt significantly increase their risk to being killed or seriously injured if they are involved in a collision, particularly on highways where speeds are higher," said Ted Hlynsky, vice-president of claims control and safety operations for MPI.

'According to police-reported data from Manitoba, you are nearly 14 times more likely to be killed and five times more likely to be seriously injured when not wearing a seatbelt.' —Ted Hlynsky, MPI

In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of buckling up, Manitoba's police agencies will be conducting dedicated, seatbelt enforcement campaigns during the month of March.

The ticket for not wearing a seatbelt is $292.65, in addition to dropping two levels in MPI's driver safety rating.

Although a recent Transport Canada study reported more Manitobans are using seatbelts, an alarming number continue to flaunt the law — and their safety, according to MPI.

"According to police-reported data from Manitoba, you are nearly 14 times more likely to be killed and five times more likely to be seriously injured when not wearing a seatbelt," said Hlynsky.

"It's not uncommon for occupants of a vehicle to be thrown out of the passenger compartment if they are not buckled up and become involved in a crash. This ejection can result in the person being rolled on by the vehicle, or flying out and hitting an object.

"Staying within the vehicle clearly increases your chance of survival."

The Transport Canada study found Manitoba had a seatbelt usage rate of 94.5 per cent in urban communities (in 2010) and 90.7 per cent in rural communities (in 2009), for a combined rate of 93.8 per cent and a sixth-place ranking in Canada.

British Columbia had the highest seatbelt usage rate in Canada at 96.9 while Yukon had the worst at 78.1.

Manitoba's rate improved from the last study conducted in 2006 (rural) and 2007 (urban), which reported Manitoba's usage rate at 86.9 and 89.7 per cent, respectively.