(BRUCE PENINSULA, ON) – The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be increasing enforcement throughout the province to ensure that motorists everywhere do their part in saving lives by buckling up. The 2014 campaign runs through the Easter weekend from April 18th to April 21st.
The Bruce Peninsula OPP will be highly visible this Easter long weekend focusing on awareness through enforcement and public education by stopping motorists who are not wearing their seat belts, they will also be looking for other bad behaviour including distracted driving, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, speeding and other forms of aggressive driving.
This traffic initiative commences at midnight on Friday April 18th and ends at midnight on Monday April 21st 2014. The initiative is in an effort to change driving behaviour and save lives. The focus of this initiative will be on seatbelt compliance.
A properly worn seat belt greatly increases your chances of surviving a motor vehicle collision.
As of April 7, 2014, nine (9) people have lost their lives on OPP patrolled roads where lack of occupant restraint was a factor.
Seatbelt non-compliance draws a fine of $240 and two demerit points. However, failing to buckle your seatbelt could also have much more serious consequences if someone is injured or killed in a motor vehicle collision.
In 2013, Bruce Peninsula officers laid 110 seatbelt charges which means that 110 drivers were caught driving without a restraint system that would help protect them if they become involved in a crash.
Anyone interested in more information can check the Ministry of Transportation website at http://www.mto.gov.on.ca, the OPP website at http://www.opp.ca