Now that summer is here, the Ontario Provincial Police is reminding people to wear their safety gear.
“When heading out for a boat ride, a drive, or a paddle or trail ride this summer, please wear your safety gear,” says Thomas Carrique, Ontario Provincial Police Commissioner. “Having the protection of a seatbelt, lifejacket or helmet gives you and your family your best chance at surviving a life-threatening situation on roads, waterways and trails. The OPP wants to see everyone have a safe and enjoyable summer.”
Officials say over the past five years, hundreds of people of all ages have died in OPP-investigated traffic and marine incidents where failure to wear safety equipment has been a primary cause or contributing factor in their death.
That includes 279 deaths where people were not wearing seatbelts, 114 not wearing a lifejacket and 54 people killed in off-road vehicle incidents who did not wear a helmet. Another 19 people not wearing helmets died in motorcycle incidents.
