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33 central island drivers nailed for not wearing seat belts during one-day RCMP blitz

Mar 6, 2019 | 5:03 PM

NANAIMO — It might seem hard to believe after decades of education campaigns, but apparently dozens of mid-island drivers didn’t feel the need to wear a seat belt.

RCMP Traffic Services reported 33 tickets were handed out for not wearing a seat belt in the Oceanside region alone during a single day blitz on March 1. Another 12 people were nailed in the Chemainus area.

“It is a little concerning for sure,” Cpl. Mike Halskov told NanaimoNewsNOW. “Seat belt legislation has been around for about 40 years or more in B.C. and it’s one of the simplest ways people can reduce the chances of them being injured in a collision.”

Halskov pointed to several local incidents in recent months where injuries or even fatalities could have been avoided if people were buckled up.

He said police hear every excuse possible from people caught without a seat belt on, with some saying it doesn’t fit properly or it’s uncomfortable.

In total, 60 tickets were issued at various central island locations during the one-day blitz.

Halskov said distracted drivers continue to pose a problem and much more education and enforcement is needed.

“Whether you’re at a stop light or moving through traffic, to take your eyes off the road to focus on something else entirely, you are missing a lot and it’s extremely dangerous behaviour.”

The March 1 blitz was part of an annual province-wide campaign targetting dangerous driving habits.

 

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