SAAQ marks 50 years of mandatory seat belts in Quebec
The province is marking half a century of seat belt law with a stark reminder: nearly one-third of road deaths still involve unbelted occupants.
The Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec is marking 50 years since seat belts became mandatory in the province, using the anniversary to renew efforts encouraging compliance among motorists.
Since 1976, seat belt use has become widespread across Quebec, but the agency reports that nearly one-third of occupants killed in passenger vehicle collisions are still unbelted each year. The requirement was extended to backseat passengers in 1990.
SAQ estimates that approximately 4,500 deaths could have been prevented since 1976 if all vehicle occupants had worn seat belts. The rate of non-use in fatal collisions has dropped significantly over five decades — from 73 per cent in 1978 to 28 per cent in 2025. Roadside surveys show overall compliance has risen from 50 per cent in the early 1980s to 98 per cent in 2022.
"Even though much progress has been made, the numbers speak for themselves," said SAAQ president and CEO Serge Lamontagne. "Every person who doesn't buckle up is taking far too great a risk." The agency says it will continue awareness efforts over the next month across various platforms to highlight the concrete consequences of not wearing a seat belt.