As families across the province get ready for Easter long weekend road travel, OPP is reminding drivers and passengers that the safest place to be during a collision is in your seat, behind your seatbelt.
Over the weekend, the OPP will conduct a seatbelt safety campaign, hoping to see every driver and passenger buckled up rather than being handed a provincial offence notice for non-compliance.
In the last full five-year period (2019-2023), the deaths of 296 people on OPP-patrolled roads have been attributed to not wearing a seatbelt.
"Attending the scene of a fatal collision is one of the most difficult calls for service that our frontline officers and emergency partners respond to. More often than not, if seatbelts had been worn, lives would have been saved. Wearing a seatbelt and ensuring children are properly restrained gives you and your family the best chance of surviving and reducing injuries if you are involved in a collision. Please buckle up," says Commissioner Thomas Caeeique.
"Seatbelts save lives. As we head into the long weekend, I encourage everyone to buckle up to keep themselves and their families safe. The decision to wear a seatbelt can be the difference between life and death," adds Michael Kerzner, Ontario Solicitor General.
In 2023, 67 fatalities on OPP-patrolled roads were attributed to seatbelts not being worn.
A driver or passenger (over 16 years-of-age) can be charged and face a fine totalling $240 ($200 set fine, $35 victim surcharge, $5 court costs) and two demerit points for seat belt infractions.
The OPP laid close to 10,000 seatbelt charges in 2023.
