Excerpt from the Government of Ontario’s ‘Newsroom’
McGuinty Government Continues to Protect Ontario Families
Ontario’s seatbelt law celebrated its 35th birthday on January 1, 2011
Today, 92.8 per cent of all Ontarians buckle up – that’s up from just 17.2 per cent who wore seatbelts before the mandatory law took effect.
Ontario was the first province to require all drivers and passengers to wear a seatbelt. The McGuinty government has since expanded the law to include:
– Increased fines for seatbelt, child seat, and booster seat violations
– A requirement that every vehicle occupant be buckled up – one person, one seatbelt
– The mandatory use of appropriate booster and child car seats at all times, whether children are driving with a parent, grandparent or other caregiver.
Since Ontario’s seatbelt law first came into effect in 1976, the number of people killed and injured in motor vehicle collisions has steadily dropped and it is estimated that seatbelt use has saved over 8,000 lives.
My opinion,
I can remember, clearly, when the seatbelt law came into effect and I was not a big fan of it. (I am now) Mind you, the media would, randomly, be reporting news about teenagers killed on old country roads on Friday nights or weekends and most of the deaths would be attributed to the combination of drunk driving and the lack of buckled seatbelts. (unheard of today) Ask yourself this question, “When was the late time I read something like that?”
I am now a grandfather and have 12 more reasons to support the seatbelt law. Never do I drive with my grandchildren (or anyone else for that matter) in the car unless all are buckled up. All my daughter-in-laws spend most of the trip getting the little darlings in and out of their seats. Isn’t life wonderful!!!
I would also like to thank, publically, the association known as MADD. (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) It takes the dedicated associations, like this one, to continue the fight and to ensure we do not allow the governments to slip back to the dark ages. MADD is the biggest and also the best. Thank you.
Seatbelts saves lives. It is a proven fact. Seatbelts are also a requirement in the world of workplace health and safety. A forklift driver needs a record of training which includes the mandatory need to wear a seatbelt when getting on and driving a forklift. The overhead guard is all that is between you and the ground and a vehicle weighing 5-6 cars can kill you immediately, so Buckle Up!
Remember — In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Foundation Level
VP & Senior Trainer
HRSGroup Inc.
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Well done!