Carnie's Comments
It became the law back in 1977 - 48 years ago. However, as I recall, not many worried about it too much. The fine for a violation was minimal.
When I got my driver's license a few years later in 1981 I got a friendly reminder about that law. I was at an intersection, driving my dad's car, when a police officer pulled up beside me, looked over and shook his head. I shrugged and gave him a puzzled look. He then unbuckled his seat belt and put it back on.
I got it. I buckled up.
I'm thinking about that today after reading a story on from WestCentralOnline.com about RCMP and the Combined Traffic Services Saskatchewan and the fact they've increased the number of traffic stops this summer.
Constable Mario Chabot of Rosetown told us we've had 40 people die in traffic mishaps between January and May alone and "17 of these (deaths) were a direct result of somebody not wearing their seatbelt."
You know, fines for seatbelt violations will increase next month but we've had 17 people in our province pay the ultimate price already this year.
Perplexing, isn't it?