Red Deer RCMP target seatbelt use in March, focus on speed for April

RED DEER- Throughout March, the Red Deer RCMP traffic unit and Community Peace Officers (CPOs) operated a number of campaigns targeting the correct use of seatbelts, which have been proven time and again to reduce injury in collisions and to save lives.

The campaigns were part of a larger provincial traffic focus, and resulted in Red Deer officers issuing a total of 78 tickets to people who were not wearing seatbelts or were using them in an unsafe manner.

Red Deer RCMP and CPOs kicked off their seatbelt awareness work by hosting a free car seat inspection event on March 10 in the north Canadian Tire parking lot.

“The proper use of seatbelts and child safety seats is the law because it’s the most effective way to protect your loved ones and reduce injury and death in a collision,” says Sergeant Kevin Halwa of the Red Deer RCMP traffic unit. “We were glad to see so many people take advantage of the free car seat inspection event – licensed car seat inspectors were able to verify the safety of 42 car seats that day. That’s a lot of peace of mind for parents and caregivers.”