Not only is it the law to wear a seat belt while driving, it is a lifesaving device that could be the sole reason you survive a collision. While the vast majority of drivers wear their seat belts, some people don’t see the need, and some people simply forget. Not buckling your seat belt is a major mistake that could cost you your driver’s licence, if not your life, and force you to face severe penalties.

Every year in the province of Quebec, the Quebec Automobile Insurance Corporation states an average of 54 people are killed while not wearing a seat belt (drivers and passengers) and 140 people are seriously injured while not wearing a seat belt. To emphasize the importance of wearing a seat belt, crashing at 50 km/h is like falling from a 4-storey building, 75 km/h is like falling from an 8-storey building, and 100 km/h is like falling from a 14-storey building. Always wear a seat belt, no matter what speed you are travelling at.

Wearing a seat belt is one of the first things every driver learns, and for good reason. It takes just seconds to buckle up your seat belt before driving or riding as a passenger in a vehicle, and yet it could add years to your life if you are ever involved in a collision. Remember, even if you aren’t in a crash, if you are caught without a seat belt you will face serious punishment from the police. It is never worth the risk to not buckle up.