Seatbelt Safety

Seatbelts save lives

The London Police Service reminds all motorists and passengers to buckle up for safety. Wearing a seatbelt is the single most effective way to reduce the chance of injury or death while in a motor vehicle collision.

Remember, a seatbelt won’t protect you if it’s not worn properly. All drivers and passengers must wear a seatbelt that is properly adjusted and securely fastened.

Take a few moments to position the lap portion of your seatbelt snug to your body and low on the hips. Never wear the shoulder strap under the arm because it could damage your ribs. Seatbelt use is critical to ensure the driver and passenger remain in the vehicle during a collision, rather than potentially being thrown through a windshield, or onto the roadway.

Drivers are also responsible for ensuring those under the age of 16 are wearing a seatbelt and any children who are not big enough or old enough to use a seatbelt are secured in an appropriate child car seat or booster seat.

Seatbelt fines

If you are driving, you can face a fine if you or anyone in your vehicle under age 16 is not wearing a seatbelt or secured in a proper child seat. If convicted, you may:

• be fined between $200 and $1,000
• receive two demerit points - demerit points remain on your driving record for two years

Seatbelt tips

Follow these tips to ensure safety on our roads:

• wear your seatbelt so that it crosses your chest and your lower hips - these areas of the body are better able to resist the force of a crash
• make sure you have one working seatbelt for every person in your vehicle

If you're pregnant, you still need to wear a seatbelt. For safety, you should:

• Wear both the lap and shoulder belt
• Sit as upright as possible
• Wear the lap belt low so it pulls downward on your pelvic bone and not across your stomach
• Do not wear any part of your seatbelt twisted
• Do not put the shoulder strap under your arm or behind your back

Air bags do not take the place of a seatbelt. They won't prevent you or your passengers from being thrown out of your car, and they can also injure children. Serious injury can occur without the proper use of seatbelts.

16 years or older?

Passengers who are 16 years of age or older are responsible for buckling up themselves and can receive a fine if they are not wearing one properly.