September 27, 2016
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EVERY LIFE IS WORTH THE FIVE SECONDS IT TAKES TO BUCKLE UP!
(ORILLIA, ON) – The deaths of 347 unbuckled vehicle occupants in OPP-investigated collisions over the past five years have prompted the OPP to call on drivers and passengers to assist police in conducting a successful province-wide fall seatbelt campaign.
Between 2011 and 2015, the OPP investigated more than 360,000 fatal and non-fatal motor vehicle collisions. In response to these incidents, officers have had to rescue thousands of victims amid the wreckage.
As first responders and collision subject matter experts, they know that a road crash – even a low-speed crash - is an uncompromising ordeal for vehicle occupants. They also know that not wearing a seatbelt is a game changer when it comes to your chances of surviving a crash and reducing the severity of your injuries.
“Every year, our officers tend to crash victims of all ages who are not buckled in at the time of the collision," says OPP deputy commissioner Brad Blair, provincial commander, Traffic Safety and Operational Support. "More often than not, they die as a result of being ejected, partially ejected or from the physical trauma they sustained inside the vehicle. Fortunately, our officers have also witnessed numerous victims survive their ordeal as a result of being restrained in their seat. Every life is worth the five seconds it takes to buckle up.”
“This campaign serves as an important reminder that every driver and adult passenger has a responsibility to buckle up," says David Orazietti, Ontario minister of community safety and correctional services. "Drivers are also responsible for ensuring all passengers under the age of 16 are properly restrained. It’s especially important that small children are in approved seat restraints. Buckling up is the law and saves lives in the event of a collision.”
So far this year, 40 people have lost their lives in collisions in which they were found not wearing their seatbelt.
During the OPP’s 10-day campaign, officers will be conducting enforcement and education that focuses on seatbelt laws. They hope to see all drivers and passengers safely buckled in rather than have to issue tickets for seatbelt violations.
DID YOU KNOW?
Between 2010 and 2014 (the OPP’s most recent data), 76 per cent of those who died in seatbelt-related deaths were males.
Over the same five-year period, males between the age of 25 and 34, accounted for the highest number of seatbelt-related deaths. Women in the same age group accounted for the highest number of deaths among the female victims.
HELPFUL LINKS
Keeping children safe: Choose the right child car seat
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