(CHATSWORTH, ON) – Members of Grey County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), along with OPP officers across the province, will be highly visible this Easter long weekend in raising awareness through enforcement and public education by targeting the “Big 4†major causes of death and injury on our roadways; specifically, impaired driving, aggressive driving, distracted driving and failure to wear or improper use of seatbelts.
This traffic initiative, which commences at midnight on Friday, April 18th and ends at midnight on Monday, April 21st, 2014, is in 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 died in motor vehicle collisions within OPP jurisdiction so far this year in which lack of occupant restraint was a factor.
Drivers are responsible for ensuring that passengers under 16 years of age are using the seat belt or an appropriate child car seat.
A driver can be charged and face a fine totalling $240 and two demerit points for seat belt infractions. Demerit points remain on a driving record for two years from the date of the offence.
The Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) website has comprehensive seat belt information, including videos about proper car seat installation for your child. Go to www.mto.gov.on.ca and then to their “Road Safety†page for details.