TORONTO, April 22, 2008 – Ontario recently kicked off its annual spring seatbelt campaign, aimed at reminding drivers to buckle up and make sure child safety seats are properly installed. The campaign runs until April 27.
Each year, nearly one third of the 800 people killed in traffic collisions in Ontario were not wearing seatbelts. Ontario’s one person, one seat-belt law requires every occupant in a motor vehicle to buckle up properly. As well, it is mandatory for anyone transporting children to ensure they are properly secured in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat.
Child safety seat inspection clinics are being held across the province so parents and caregivers can ensure their child car or booster seats are properly installed.
Ontario’s road-safety partners are participating in the spring seatbelt campaign through organized safety blitzes and child car seat inspection clinics. Police, fire, emergency medical services, public health units, community groups, government, and volunteer organizations are working together to spread the message that seatbelts, child car safety seats, and booster seats save lives.
“Motor vehicle collisions are the leading cause of death and injury among children and youth,” says Transportation Minister Jim Bradley. “I urge every parent and caregiver to make sure children are properly secured in their child car safety seat — it’s the law.”
“The law requiring people to use seatbelts helps our law enforcement officers keep Ontarians safe. That’s something our government takes very seriously,” says Community Safety and Correctional Services Minister Rick Bartolucci.
QUICK FACTS
- Only about 34 per cent of Ontario children between the ages of four and eight are properly secured when traveling in a motor vehicle
- A correctly used child safety seat can reduce the chance of injury or death by 75 per cent.
LEARN MORE
For help choosing the seat that’s right for your child, and for installation tips, visit SmartLove online or call your local public health unit for more information. You can also contact the Ministry of Transportation’s info line at 1-800-268-4686.
