The Alberta RCMP is still having to remind people to wear their seatbelts.
Seatbelts are an essential way of helping to protect oneself and others in case a motor vehicle accident occurs.
The proper use of safety restraints will significantly reduce the risk of serious injury and harm, as well as help to save lives.
In Alberta last year, the RCMP issued 2,960 tickets for seatbelt-related offences.
Of those, just 19 were from the Okotoks area.
The Okotoks RCMP says this shows a pretty good rate of compliance in the area.
The fine for breaking the occupant restraint laws is $162.
Because of the number of seatbelt-related offences the Alberta RCMP have issued, they are reminding people to always wear a securely fastened seatbelt when in a vehicle, ensure the lap belt is positioned low across the hips and the shoulder belt is sitting across the center of the chest, and always use the provided seatbelts on off-road recreational vehicles.
They also are telling people to not allow the seatbelt to become twisted, as the width of the belt is required to spread out the force from a collison across the body, and the driver is responsible for making sure that they are wearing a seatbelt, as well as all passengers who are under the age of 16.
"Fastening your seatbelt and ensuring other occupants are safely restrained should be your first priorities when entering your vehicle," explained Sgt. Josh Argue, Alberta RCMP Traffic, in a media release. "By doing so, you can avoid a ticket, and more importantly, you can travel knowing you have the proper precautions in place which could save your life in the event of a collision."