Seat Belts and Air Bags
Regardless of where you drive, and no matter how safe a driver you are, sudden stops and collisions do happen. If your vehicle is equipped with air bags, always wear your seat belt. If you don't, you may not be in the right position to benefit from the protection air bags provide. Air bags do not protect you in a roll-over or side impact collision - so always wear a seat belt.
To ensure safety of motorists, in Ontario it's the law for drivers to wear their seat belt and ensure that passengers under 16 years old are buckled up or secured in a child safety seat. If you don't, you could face a fine of $90 to $500 and two demerit points. As for passengers 16 and older, they are responsible for wearing their seat belt and risk a fine as well.
Here are some points to remember:
- Seat belts must be in proper working condition.
- A seat belt won't protect you if it is not worn properly. Take a
few seconds to position the lap portion of your seat belt snug to your body and
low on the hips. Never wear the shoulder strap under the arm where it could
damage your ribs.
- A seat belt keeps the driver behind the wheel and in control in a
collision. It helps keep your head and body from hitting the inside of the
vehicle.
- A seat belt keeps you inside the vehicle during a collision, rather than being thrown through a windshield or door onto the roadway.
For more information, see Transport Canada's Air Bag Safety web site.
