The New Year will bring a new traffic enforcement initiative to the Columbia Valley.

Every month, Columbia Valley RCMP officers will be taking enhanced traffic enforcement action on a particular traffic offence, among the other traffic enforcement actions, reported Detachment Commander Sgt. Bob Vatamaniuck.

“In January, we will be looking for drivers and passengers not wearing seat belts; there is no excuse for not having one on. If you choose not to wear one and are confronted by the RCMP you will be looking at a fine of $167. Please wear one; it is for your own safety,” Vatamaniuck stated.

Wearing a seatbelt is one of the most important ways for drivers and passengers to protect themselves,” he said.

“Your chances of surviving a vehicle crash increase dramatically if you are wearing a seatbelt properly. Seatbelts reduce the risk of occupants striking the interior of the vehicle, colliding with other passengers, or being ejected,” Sgt. Vatamaniuck noted.

Wearing seatbelts in B.C. is also the law. Every seat used in your vehicle must have a seatbelt.

“What happens if you or a passenger is not wearing a seat belt (aside from the fine)?  A 150-pound adult will collide with other occupants, strike the inside of the vehicle or get thrown from the car with the same force as the weight of a 3.5-ton truck.  An unrestrained 25-pound child will be thrown forward with the same force as the weight of 1,200-pound baby elephant. Please wear your seatbelt,” Vatamaniuck urged.

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