OPP reveal province’s biggest seat belt law offenders

Ontario Provincial Police have revealed the province’s biggest seat belt law offenders.

Over the last ten years, OPP have laid 257,475 seat belt charges.

Of those, about a quarter were issued to people between the ages of 25 to 34 – more than any other demographic.

Drivers and passengers 35 to 44 were the second most charged, followed by those 45 to 54.

According to Transport Canada, when worn correctly, seat belts can reduce the chances of death and serious injuries in a crash by 50 per cent.

In 2017, 49 people who were not safely buckled died after being involved in collisions.

Failure to wear or properly wear a seat belt has contributed to 639 deaths on OPP-patrolled roads in the last ten years,” said OPP Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair.

“As a driver or passenger, it’s important to respect the lifesaving value of a seat belt and the proven fact that the best position to be in during a crash is securely fastened in your seat.”