**OPP NEWS RELEASE**

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) will be on patrol this Easter Long Weekend for the Seatbelt Campaign that will be running March 30 to April 2, 2018.

The OPP continues to educate the public on the importance of wearing a seat belt, following the speed limit, don’t drive distracted, and adjust your driving according to weather and road conditions. 

Road fatalities that are related to the lack of an occupant restraint are highly preventable so even one death in this category of causal factors is one too many. A properly worn seat belt greatly increases your chances of surviving a motor vehicle collision. 

If one person decides not to wear a seatbelt, yourself and others in the vehicle are also at risk of serious injury. A seat belt keeps you inside the vehicle during a collision and without a seat belt, passengers become high-speed projectiles.   

A driver/passenger can be charged and face a fine between $200 to $1000 and demerit points for seat belt infractions. Drivers are legally responsible for ensuring that passengers under the age of 16 are buckled up in a seatbelt, or an appropriate child car seat or booster.

The Ministry of Transportation’s (MTO) website has comprehensive information/videos about properly restraining your child and car seat installation. If you have any questions please go to www.mto.gov.on.ca. 

“Riding in a car is the single most dangerous activity we do every day. Buckle up, you are not invincible and utilize the safety devices that are available to you” says Inspector Brent Cecchini. 

Remember, it takes mere seconds to fasten your seat belt and it takes mere seconds to lose your life because you didn’t. Have a safe and happy Easter Long Weekend.