Saskatchewan Government Insurance highlighted seatbelts and child seats for the month of February.

Throughout February, 409 drivers in Saskatchewan received tickets related to seatbelts or car seats as part of the Traffic Safety Spotlight. A year ago SGI reported 400 offenses in the month of February.

344 of the reports were a driver failing to wear a seatbelt, 37 were tickets to a passenger (age 16 or older) failing to properly wear a seatbelt, 13 tickets were issued for driving with a passenger under 16 not wearing a seatbelt, and 15 tickets went out for driving with a child in the child restraint.

Wearing a seatbelt reduces the risk of being injured or killed in a crash by as much as 50 percent. Also, drivers and passengers that don't wear their seat belt are 17 times more likely to be ejected in a collision. With that said, you are more than twice as likely to die if you are ejected.

"It's important also because it's law. It's a $175 ticket and three demerits and it's a costly reminder if you're not wearing a seat belt, but not as costly as the potential consequences of not wearing a seat belt," said Tyler McMurchy Manager of Media Relations for SGI.

In 2017, 16 people were killed and 148 people were injured in Saskatchewan due to being improperly restrained or not buckled up at all.

The Traffic Safety Spotlight for the month of March is distracted driving with 563 distracted driving offenses in Saskatchewan last month.