There is no longer any excuse to not wear a seatbelt in a motor vehicle.
A provision of the Motor Vehicle Act that enables the superintendent of motor vehicles to exempt adults and children aged nine and up from the requirement to wear a seatbelt has been repealed.
“As of Feb. 26, 2014, you are no longer able to submit applications to the superintendent of motor vehicles seeking a seatbelt exemption,” said Vernon-North Okanagan RCMP spokesperson Gord Molendyk.
“Anyone who has such an exemption certificate, once it expires you will be required to wear a properly adjusted seatbelt while travelling in a motor vehicle and will be libel for penalties for not wearing a properly adjusted seatbelt.”
The fine for not wearing a seatbelt in B.C. is $167.
Molendyk said the Canadian Medical Association driver’s guide states there are no medical circumstances that justify an exemption from wearing a seatbelt, and medical practitioners in B.C. are supporting the repeal.
“There are probably a few people, not a lot, but a few that still have an exemption,” he said. “It could have been granted to some larger people or maybe those with a heart condition who said it could be harmful to them if they were wearing a seatbelt and in a motor vehicle accident.”
