Motorists can expect to see a heavier police presence on the roads this long weekend.
Between Friday, April 15 and Monday, April 18, 2022, members of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be participating in a Provincial Traffic Safety Campaign with an emphasis on seatbelt compliance.
Everyone travelling in a motor vehicle must properly wear a seatbelt and children must be properly secured in a child car seat. Drivers are responsible for ensuring all passengers under the age of 16 are properly secured in either a seat belt or child car seat.
In 2021, 47 people were killed in OPP-investigated motor vehicle collisions in which failure to wear a seatbelt was a factor in the deaths.
The OPP has laid close to 1,000 seatbelt charges so far this year.
Failing to do this will result in a fine totalling $240 and two demerit points.
The OPP points to three age demographics that are the least likely to buckle up based on its 10 year fatality data.
Of the 542 people who died between 2012 and 2021 in collisions in which lack of seatbelt use was a factor in their deaths, vehicle occupants between the ages of 25 and 34 had the highest rate of fatalities, accounting for 24% of the deaths. The 15 to 24 year age bracket was the second highest group, at 22.3%, followed by 35 to 44 year-olds at 13.5% of those who died without wearing seatbelts. Drivers (vs passengers) accounted for 75% of the deaths.
The OPP is reminding drivers and passengers that wearing a seatbelt has been proven time and time again to save lives in a collision.
Drivers are reminded that they are required by law to ensure they have proper (and properly installed) child car seats for babies, toddlers and small children.
Airbags are designed to work with, but not replace, a seatbelt. An airbag deploying in front of or beside an unbuckled driver or passenger during a collision can result in serious injuries and even death.
