Seatbelt-related deaths hit 10-year low: OPP

Seeing seatbelt-related deaths on OPP-patrolled roads shrink from 120 a decade ago (2005) to 50 last year (2014) has the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) optimistic about the growing importance road users are placing on using proper restraints when driving.

"We are proud to see Ontarians come such a long way with seatbelt safety over the past 10 years,” said Chief Superintendent Chuck Cox, Provincial Commander of the OPP Highway Safety Division, in a news release. “In spite of the steady progress, we need all road users to start recognizing the significant role a seatbelt plays in increasing one's chances of surviving a road crash and reducing the severity of injuries."

Over the past 10 years (2005 to 2014), 856 people have died in road crashes in which not wearing a seatbelt was a causal factor in their deaths. More than two-thirds of the deceased were males (646) and 210 were females. The majority of those who died were drivers (611) and 245 were passengers.

The OPP is issuing an important reminder to passengers, in particular those who sit in the back seat: When a collision occurs with unbuckled passengers in the backseat, this can set a deadly stage for person-to-person impact.

People in the front seat are often struck by unbelted backseat passengers who become high-speed projectiles inside the vehicle, sometimes contributing to the death of those who were wearing a seatbelt and might have otherwise survived.

Over and above seat belt compliance, the OPP is counting on motorists to drive within posted speed limits, not allow themselves to be distracted while driving and to not drive if consuming alcohol or drugs.

The OPP have also produced a video in which a woman reflects on how a seatbelt saved her life. Click to watch.