A close look at seat belt-related road deaths on OPP-patrolled roads in recent years suggests males place far less importance on wearing a seat belt than females do.
From 2011 to 2015, a total of 332 people died in collisions on OPP-patrolled roads as a result of not wearing a seat belt. According to OPP data, 261 of the victims were males and 71 were females.
“Our data suggests a strong presence of male drivers and male passengers who believe that they are at a lower risk of being involved in a collision than other people, and who do not see a need to wear a seat belt. This attitude works against our efforts to save lives on our roads,” said OPP commissioner Vince Hawkes.
Police say all drivers and passengers need to acknowledge that if they do not buckle up, they are at a significantly greater risk of dying in a collision that can be caused by the irresponsible actions of a distracted, impaired or aggressive driver.
OPP data also revealed that over the past five years more than three times as many unbuckled drivers (252) died in collisions as unbuckled passengers (80). This statistic is also of concern to the OPP.
While the number of seat belt-related deaths among children under 16 years of age remains the lowest of all other age groups, police say it is unacceptable when even one child dies as a result of this factor.
Between 2011 and 2015, nine children died because they were not properly restrained in the vehicle. Parents and caregivers need to ensure children are always safely buckled in a restraint appropriate to their age and size, police say. Whether it is a car seat or a booster seat, make sure it is the right seat, police say.
