June 22, 1987: Albertans prepare for seatbelt law

When a mandatory seatbelt law came into effect the summer of 1987, not all Alberta drivers were eager to buckle up.

"I don't believe that anybody should tell me what the hell I have to do," Joe Miller said in an interview with CBC's Bill Laing.

At the time, only 28 per cent of Albertans used a seatbelt. Changing the minds of almost three quarters of motorists proved to be difficult.

A government ad campaign convincing motorists to use their seatbelts hit airwaves that month, notifying Albertans of the new law coming into effect on July 1.

Some drivers sought exemptions to the law, trying to getdoctor's notes saying seatbelts would aggravate existing medical conditions.

Today, seatbelts are widely known to save lives. Not wearing one will cost you a $155 fine 29 years ago, it was $25.