DRYDEN — This Easter weekend motorists across Ontario are being asked to participate in a seatbelt safety campaign happening April 18 to 21 province-wide.
Non-compliance is a big issue said the police in a media release issued on Tuesday.
“From 2019-2023, the deaths of 296 people on OPP-patrolled roads have been attributed to not wearing a seatbelt,” said Const. Paige Phillips of Dryden OPP Detachment in the media release.
“While the majority of road users understand the lifesaving value of seatbelts, officers continue to hear excuses for non-compliance, which are proving fatal.”
Phillips said conducting seatbelt law enforcement and public education forms an important part of the OPP's commitment to reducing fatalities and injuries on our roads.
The OPP campaign in 2024 led to 64 seatbelt related charges and hundreds of additional driving offences.
“The OPP will conduct a seatbelt safety campaign, hoping to see every driver and passenger buckled up rather than being handed a provincial offence notice for non-compliance with this important law,” said Sgt. Hayley Mcleary, regional media and communications coordinator.
“Our focus at this point is just reminding drivers and passengers the safety that comes with wearing your seatbelt or not wearing your seatbelt.”
Drivers who are caught without a seatbelt lose two demerit points and are fined up $1,000 while passengers, who are also required to wear seatbelts, can also be fined
"We're conducting the seatbelt safety campaign and hoping to see the drivers are buckled up as they're travelling around over the Easter long weekend," said Mcleary.
