More than five decades after Ontario introduced mandatory seatbelt laws, police say the message remains as important as ever.
Ontario Provincial Police report that nearly one in four road fatalities they investigate still involves someone who was not wearing a seatbelt. In 2025 alone, officers responded to 41 deaths where lack of seatbelt use was either the cause or a contributing factor.
As part of a province wide campaign over the Easter long weekend, OPP are reminding drivers and passengers to buckle up every time they get in a vehicle. The campaign also focuses on ensuring children are properly secured using the correct car seat, booster seat, or seatbelt based on their height, weight, and age.
Police say seatbelts remain the most effective way to reduce the risk of serious injury or death in a collision, including crashes caused by other drivers. Without a seatbelt, occupants can be thrown inside the vehicle or into an air bag with enough force to cause severe injury.
Enforcement also continues to be a focus. In 2025, OPP officers laid more than 13,500 seatbelt related charges. Drivers who fail to wear a seatbelt can face fines ranging from 200 to 1,000 dollars, along with two demerit points.
Police say the message is simple for drivers across Ontario, including in Northumberland communities: buckling up takes only seconds but can make the difference between life and death.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
