(SOUTH BRUCE COUNTY, 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 increased enforcement is part of the Spring Seatbelt Campaign which is a partnership between the OPP, Ontario Ministry of Transportation and other road safety partners. The 2012 campaign runs from April 14th to 22nd.
The South Bruce OPP will be focusing their efforts on occupant restraint systems including child restraints during the campaign to raise awareness and protect children. A properly used child booster seat reduces a child’s risk of injury in a crash by as much as 75 percent, yet OPP officers find many child car seats are incorrectly used or incorrectly installed.
When used correctly, a booster seat provides 60 per cent more protection than a seatbelt alone. In a collision, children using seatbelts instead of booster seats are three and a half times more likely to suffer significant injury, and four times more likely to suffer head injury.
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.
Transport Canada statistics reflect that more than 95% of Ontarians use occupant restraints; however West Region OPP officers have noticed a dramatic increase in fatal collisions to date in 2012.
In 2011, the South Bruce OPP checked 15,772 vehicles during the Spring Seatbelt Campaign and laid a total of 75 charges for seatbelt violations.
“It’s important for all drivers and passengers to accept that seatbelts save lives. Too many families mark the death of a loved one in a preventable crash on a holiday weekend. It’s not just the $240 fine or demerit points, it’s about public safety and saving lives. If you’re not buckled up, what’s holding you back?†– Inspector Chris Gilpin, Interim Detachment Commander, South Bruce OPP.