Dec. 3, 2008

Kindersley wins SGI Seatbelt Challenge

The community of Kindersley will receive a cash prize of up to $50,000 for local road safety improvements.

As part of its commitment to reducing deaths and injuries on Saskatchewan roads, SGI ran a Seatbelt Challenge in the Heartland Health Region. The communities of Davidson, Kindersley, Rosetown and Unity challenged each other to buckle up. Kindersley won because it had the greatest improvement in seatbelt usage rates between surveys conducted in March 2008 and September 2008.

"The challenge was designed as a community-driven project to improve seatbelt use in the province," said Shannon Ell, Manager of SGI Traffic Safety Promotion. "It included roadside activities and community-based events."

SGI partnered with the RCMP and community champions in the Heartland Health Region such as EMS, fire departments, public health professionals, students and municipalities to conduct the challenge. Road-side public awareness activities were conducted where individuals spotted wearing their seatbelts were rewarded.

Student groups conducted two separate roadside observation surveys in each of the communities to measure seatbelt usage rates.

The survey results were very positive, with all communities achieving an increase. Below are the percentage increase of seatbelts used in each community:

Unity - 3.8 per cent
Rosetown - 5 per cent
Davidson - 6.3 per cent
Kindersley - 13.7 per cent

"We are very excited about these results," said Ell. "Even though the challenge has wrapped-up, SGI encourages everyone to continue to buckle up and remind their friends, family and neighbours to do the same every time they're in a vehicle."

With the success of the Heartland pilot, SGI plans to continue the Seatbelt Challenge in 2009.

Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) is the province's self-sustaining auto insurance fund. SGI operates 20 claims centres across Saskatchewan and a head office in Regina. The organization's 1,700 employees work directly with motor licence issuers across the province.

Remember . . . Buckle Up.

For further information, contact:
Kelley Brinkworth
SGI Communications
Phone: 306-751-3768
kbrinkworth@sgi.sk.ca