Health News For South West


Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Ministry of Transportation
Seatbelts, Child Car Seats Save Lives

Ontario is launching its annual seatbelt campaign to remind drivers and passengers to buckle up and make sure children are properly secured in the right child car seat or booster seat.

Police, fire and emergency services workers, health care professionals and road safety groups across the province are participating in the campaign, which runs until Oct. 10. It includes educational demonstrations, seatbelt enforcement by police and a series of child car seat inspection clinics.

Wearing a seatbelt and using the right child car seat or booster seat is the most effective way to reduce the risk of injury or death in a collision.

Ontario's One Person, One Seatbelt law requires every occupant in a motor vehicle to buckle up properly. Drivers must also make sure all passengers under the age of 16 are properly secured with the appropriate child car seat, booster seat or seatbelt.
 
Quick Facts:

  • Recent statistics show that 96 per cent of all Ontarians buckle up on a regular basis — but about half a million still don’t.
  • The most recent Ontario statistics show that people in collisions were 36-times more likely to be killed if they were not wearing a seatbelt.
  • The penalty for seatbelt or child car seat infractions is a fine of up to $1,000 and two demerit points.
  • Since Ontario introduced seatbelt legislation in 1976, it is estimated that over 9,000 lives have been saved.
  • Since 2003, Ontario has made child car seats mandatory and required that every person in the vehicle wear their own seatbelt — one person, one seatbelt.
 
Learn More:

 
 
Quotes:

"Seatbelts save lives. I urge all drivers and passengers to buckle up and secure their children in the right child car seat or booster seat every time they get into a vehicle. Ontario’s roads are among the safest in North America, and we all play a part in helping them stay safe."

— Steven Del Duca, Minister of Transportation

"Wearing a seatbelt is the single-most effective way to prevent deaths and serious injuries in motor vehicle collisions. Remember, it’s one person, one seatbelt. Make sure you and all your passengers are buckled up every time you drive — it’s the law."

— Chief Supt. Chuck Cox, Commander, OPP Highway Safety Division

"Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death for Canadian children. Having the right car or booster seat for your child, ensuring it is installed correctly and using it on every ride will help your family stay safe on the road."

— Louise Logan, President and CEO, Parachute

Media Contacts:

Patrick Searle
Minister’s Office
416-327-1815

Bob Nichols
Communications Branch
416-327-1158

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