As Ontarians gear up for Canada Day and the summer season, provincial police are reminding people that seatbelts, helmets, and lifejackets can mean the difference between life and death.
The Ontario Provincial Police say that from 2022 to 2024, 188 people died in crashes on OPP-patrolled roads where a seatbelt wasn’t worn. Officers are urging all drivers and passengers, especially children, to buckle up.
Off-road riders are also being warned to wear helmets. Over the past three years, 43 of the 88 people killed in off-road vehicle incidents had not been wearing one. The OPP says uneven terrain can make these vehicles unpredictable, even on private property.
On the water, lifejackets remain the most neglected safety measure. Of the 72 people who died in OPP-investigated marine incidents during that same period, 59 were not wearing a lifejacket.
Police say the message is simple: wear your gear and protect yourself—whether you’re on the road, trail, or water.