Occupant Protection > Seat Belts
Statistics
- Results of a Transport Canada 2000
seat belt survey indicates that increased use of seat belts in Canada has
resulted in an estimated 4,900 lives saved, 100,000 injuries avoided, and
$8.4 billion in social and health costs saved.
- Collision data for Canada shows that
over 40 percent of vehicle occupants killed in crashes were not wearing
seat belts.
- Research indicates that males aged
18-24 are admittedly the least likely drivers to use seat belts. In this
category, non-users generally understand and realize the importance of wearing
seatbelts, but often forget to wear them or are simply negligent. This group
is more likely to be swayed by peers and social norms.
- Police reports and surveys indicate
that light trucks (pickups) are the most common vehicle driven by non-users.
- Studies show that 25-45 year old non-users
have a more hardened attitude towards non-use and are not likely to be easily
swayed in their behaviour. Their primary source of influence is family
and loved ones.
- In the 18-24 year old category, non-users
generally understand and realize the importance of wearing seatbelts, but
often forget to wear them or are simply negligent. This group is more likely
to be swayed by peers and social norms.
- Manitoba Public Insurance's Child Car
Seat Checks showed that on average 80 per cent of child car seats were not
installed properly or had children secured incorrectly.
- Front-facing (59 percent) and booster
seats (57 per cent) were more likely to have children secured incorrectly
than rear-facing seats (49 per cent).
NOTE: The most recent seat belt statistics are available from Transport Canada.