DriveSmartBC

During 2010, vehicle occupants in British Columbia were surveyed by Transport Canada to have a 97%+ seatbelt wearing rate. This was determined by a 2 hour observation period during daylight hours between September 15 and 21 at 286 sites across the country.

This issue of the Status Report looks at how long it takes a new safety feature will be present in the majority of vehicles on our highways actually incorporate these features. One example is front air bags which were first introduced in the mid - 1980's and it is estimated that they will reach the 95% inclusion level in 2016.

No one rides in my vehicle unless they are wearing their seatbelt. I've actually investigated a death in a collision like this one. The forces of the rear seat passenger coming forward were enough to tear the front passenger seat out of the floor of the vehicle in addition to causing or contributing to the death of the woman seated in it.

In this issue:

• More boosters are doing a good job of fitting safety belts to kids in the latest round of seat evaluations
  

Beginning this month, all passenger cars, multi-purpose vehicles, trucks and buses with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating of 4536 kg or less manufactured in Canada will have to be equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

The August 18, 2011 edition of the IIHS Status Report looks at three issues: existing countermeasures merit renewed attention to help bring down road deaths and injuries, children should ride rear-facing until they’re at least 2 years old, new guidelines recommend and that the U.S. lags behind other wealthy nations in extending safety gains.

The July 19, 2001 edition of the Status Report looks at crash avoidance systems, red light cameras and motorcycle helmet labeling requirements.

Rock the Gear Inc. is a national, not-for-profit organization that focuses on motorcycle safety apparel education and provides a community of support for those who want to learn more and/or become involved. Brittany Morrow is the President and founder, this is her story:

We all know that the law requires that we wear our seat belts when driving. The Motor Vehicle Act says in part "..wear the complete seat belt assembly in a properly adjusted and securely fastened manner." Why should we worry, and how do we know what is proper?

Running into the rear of a heavy truck is much more likely to be fatal than running into another light vehicle. Rear end structures designed to prevent collisions where light vehicles ride under heavy vehicle trailers are not sufficient, even in relatively low speed crashes.