OPP Launch Seatbelt Safety Blitz
Non-use a factor in more deaths this year
Do you buckle up?
Most people do, but enough still don’t that Ontario Provincial Police have launched another Fall Seatbelt campaign.
Not wearing a seatbelt has been a factor in 34 road deaths in Ontario this year – four more than at this time last year.
Even in low speed frontal collisions, you can be launched heavily into the steering wheel dashboard and windshield. Without a seatbelt, the consequences can be catastrophic.
And some people are under the mistaken notion they don’t need to be buckled in if their vehicle is equipped with airbags. Police pointing out the bags are designed to work WITH seat restraints,
not instead of them.
[perfectpullquote align=”full” bordertop=”false” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Regardless of technological advances in vehicle safety, a seat belt remains your first line of defence and your best chance of surviving a collision. While air bags are a second line of defence, they will not restrain you. Only your seat belt can hold you in place – Deputy Commissioner Brad Blair, Provincial Commander, Traffic Safety and Operational Support.[/perfectpullquote]
OPP will be highly visible over the next ten days as they conduct education and enforcement initiatives aimed at getting people to buckle up and stay safe.
