Spring seat belt campaign a success

OPP News Release

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North Bay - Officers of the North Bay, Mattawa and Powassan OPP Detachments completed their Spring Seat Belt Campaign on Monday, April 28th, 2008. This year’s theme focused on “One Person, One Seatbelt”. Officers checked that all occupants were safely ‘buckled-in’ including child seats.

During the 13-day campaign (April 16th to April 28th, 2008), 6,691 vehicles were checked where 97 people were charged with seatbelt violations. Of vehicles checked, 344 were specifically checked for proper use of child seats resulting in 100% compliance. Check with the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit for Child Restraint Clinics at (705) 474-1400 ext 2327 or visit their website at www.healthunit.biz.

Last year, 117 people were killed on roads patrolled by the OPP as a result of not being buckled up, a 14.7 per cent increase over 2006. So far in 2008, 27 people not wearing seatbelts have died on OPP-patrolled roads, a 28.9 per cent decrease over the same time last year, when 38 people had been killed as a result of not being buckled up.

Locally for 2007, North Bay, Mattawa and Powassan OPP investigated 11 fatalities where 5 people were not wearing a seatbelt. So far in 2008, North Bay OPP had no fatalities where the occupant was not wearing a seatbelt.

Using seat belts is the single most effective way to reduce vehicle related injuries and fatalities. The fine for not wearing a seatbelt is $110 and two demerit points.

Police will continue their effort throughout their daily patrols to ensure everyone gets the message.

Seat belts save lives!

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