Seatbelt Safety

The Hamilton Strategic Road Safety Committee of the City of Hamilton is bringing awareness to the importance of wearing a seatbelt when you get behind the wheel. If you wear a seatbelt properly, you are more likely to survive a crash. Evidence shows that Ontario's seatbelt law works and has helped strengthen our leading road safety record.

All Ontario drivers and passengers must wear a properly adjusted and securely fastened seatbelt. Drivers must ensure children not old or big enough are secured in a child car seat or booster seat.  

Seatbelt Safety Tips

• Always 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.
• Ensure there is one working seatbelt for every person in your vehicle.
• If you're pregnant, you still need to wear a seatbelt, wear both the lap and shoulder belt and sit as upright as possible. Wear the lap belt low so it pulls downward on your pelvic bones and not across your stomach.
• Always wear a seatbelt in a taxi. 
• Do not wear any part of your seatbelt twisted - a twisted seatbelt won't spread the force of a crash across your body to protect you properly.
• 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.

Seatbelt Fines

• Drivers who don’t ensure children under age 16 are wearing a seatbelt or are properly secured in a proper child seat can be fined between $200-$1000 if convicted.
• Drivers can receive two demerit points which remain on your record for two years.
• Drivers may also be fined for having a broken seatbelt even if it’s not being used.
• Occupants in a vehicle who are 16 years old or older can be fined for not wearing a seatbelt.