April 2, 2015
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OPP looking for 100-per-cent seatbelt compliance over Easter long weekend
(ORILLIA, ON) – Seeing seatbelt-related deaths on OPP-patrolled roads shrink to 50 last year (2014) from 120 in 2005, has the OPP optimistic about the growing importance road-users are placing on using proper restraints when driving.
"We are proud to see Ontarians come such a long way with seatbelt safety over the past 10 years," says chief superintendent Chuck Cox, provincial commander of the OPP Highway Safety Division. "In spite of the steady progress, we need all road-users to start recognizing the significant role a seatbelt plays in increasing one's chances of surviving a road crash and reducing the severity of injuries."
Over the Easter long weekend, the OPP will conduct province-wide education and targeted enforcement of seatbelt laws to address those few road-users who need to be nudged to buckle up. The OPP would prefer to see drivers do this through their own initiative rather than police enforcement.
Over the past 10 years, 856 people have died in road crashes in which not wearing a seatbelt was a causal factor in their deaths. More than two-thirds of the deceased were males (646) and 210 were females. The majority of those who died were drivers (611) and 245 were passengers.
The human collision
The OPP is issuing an important reminder to passengers, in particular those who sit in the back seat. When a collision occurs with unbuckled passengers in the backseat, this can set a deadly stage for person-to-person impact. People in the front seat are often struck by unbelted backseat passengers who become high-speed projectiles inside the vehicle, sometimes contributing to the death of those who were wearing a seatbelt and might have otherwise survived.
It takes more than seatbelts to keep your family safe on the road
The OPP is also reminding motorists that the Easter weekend often makes for the first long weekend road trip of the year on dry roads in many parts of the province. While this is a welcome respite after a long winter, drivers should not let their guard down about other behaviours they need to demonstrate behind the wheel to ensure everyone travels safely this coming weekend.
Over and above seatbelt compliance, the OPP is counting on motorists to drive within posted speed limits, not allow themselves to be distracted while driving, and to not drive if consuming alcohol or drugs.
LEARN MORE
Click on the following video link to see how a seatbelt saved a young woman’s life.
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