RCMP Release:
Thursday, August 12, 2010 Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), N.S…. Members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Halifax District conducted two check points on Forest Hills Drive in Cole Harbour yesterday.
The morning checkpoint, RCMP officers check 725 vehicles and charged 32 individuals for not wearing a seat belt. In the afternoon checkpoint another 500 vehicles were checked and 21 individuals were charged for not wearing a seatbelt. In Nova Scotia it is the law to wear a seat belt under section 175 of the Motor Vehicle Act and the fine is $167.21.
Transport Canada has seven tips to success on wearing your seatbelt.
1. Buckle the seat belt, making sure the latch clicks firmly into place.
2. Adjust the lap belt so that it fits snugly across your hips and not your abdomen.
3. Make sure the shoulder belt retracts so that it fits snugly across your chest and over your shoulder.
4. Never wear your shoulder belt under your arm. In a collision, your upper body will pivot forward and your head will strike the vehicle interior. The belt will press into your abdomen and likely cause serious or even fatal injuries to internal organs.
5. If you're pregnant, take extra care when adjusting your seat belt. Sit as upright as you can, and wear the lap belt under your abdomen and as low over the hips as possible. The shoulder strap should go between your breasts and off to the side above your belly.
6. The seat belts are less effective if they are not properly fitted. Bulky winter clothing or large body types can pose a particular risk. Always try to place the lap belt below the bottom edge or fold of a winter jacket or below the lowest part of your belly so that it sits closer to the lap than to the belly button.
7. The shoulder belt found in the front seat can be adjusted in height to improve the fit.