The month of March is a time for the RCMP to remind all of us to buckle no matter how far and fast you're going.

Seatbelts improve your chances of surviving a serious crash by 50 percent according to the Mounties.

Okotoks RCMP Sgt. Sukh Randhawa says despite 95 percent of Albertans wearing a seatbelt, there's still that five percent not wearing them they'd like to eliminate.

"Wearing a seatbelt is required by law in Alberta," he says. "Fines are $115, drivers are also responsible for the proper restraint of children under 16 in a vehicle. Seatbelts are the most cost effective saving device."

In 2016 10,502 tickets were issued for seatbelt violations and 2,499 died or suffered serious injuries due to an accident and weren't wearing a seatbelt.

It is also the law for children under the age of six and/or are under 40 pounds to ride in a car seat.

But when it comes to keeping your pets safe in the vehicle, especially dogs, Randhawa says they should be in the backseat area at all times.

"It is better to have the pets in the backseat or have the pets if you have a station wagon or something like that in the back. No in the close proximity of the driver because they could distract you from time to time."

Randhawa says putting on a seatbelt should be just like another regiment in one's daily routine.

"It takes a second to buckle-up and a lifetime to make up the loss, so drivers you're advised and encouraged to wear a seatbelt all the time and encourage those riding with you to wear them."