All members of the South Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be participating in a Provincial Traffic Safety Campaign focused on seatbelt compliance this coming long weekend.
Drivers and all passengers must be properly restrained in a vehicle, regardless of how short the trip may be. Young children must be properly restrained in an appropriate child car seat and seatbelt use for passengers under the age of 16 is the responsibility of the driver. The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $240 and two demerit points.
While the majority of road users understand the lifesaving value of seatbelts, the many excuses for failing to buckle up cost road users their lives year after year. The excuses range from only driving a short distance or at low speeds, seatbelts being uncomfortable or no longer needed because of airbags, to the myth that wearing a seatbelt will trap a person and make things worse during a crash, to name a few.
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 encouraged to set a good example for teens and other young drivers and passengers by buckling up for every ride, ensuring they do too, and to help them form a life-long habit of wearing this important life-saving device.
Although seatbelt use is the focus of the campaign, officers will be highly visible and paying specific attention to the “The Big 4” which, in terms of personal injury collision causation are impaired driving, distracted driving, aggressive driving and lack of occupant restraint.
During the 2022 initiative, members of the South Bruce OPP responded to 5 motor vehicle collisions (MVC). There were no injuries reported at any of these collision scenes.
The OPP remains committed to traffic safety and the safety of all road users. Road safety is a shared responsibility; let’s work together and make our roadways safe.
The South Bruce OPP is requesting anyone with information to call 1-888-310-1122. Should you wish to remain anonymous, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) or submit a secure web-tip at www.cstip.ca, where you may be eligible to receive a cash reward of up to $2,000.
