OPP urges safe driving ahead of Easter long weekend

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OPP target 'Big Four' driving offences over Easter weekend

Ontario seatbelt law turns 50, OPP still fighting non-compliance

Ontario Provincial Police are reminding motorists to prioritize safe driving practices heading into the Easter long weekend, with a focus on seatbelt use along with distracted driving, impaired driving and speed.

In a social media video released this week, Const. Justine Dela Cruz of the Dryden OPP detachment outlined the service’s focus on what officers call the ‘big four’ contributing factors in collisions.

Seatbelt campaign

Over the Easter weekend, the OPP is conducting a province-wide safety campaign with officers emphasizing the importance of being buckled in.

This includes ensuring all children are properly secured in the appropriate child car seat, booster seat or seatbelt for their weight, height and age.

The campaign runs April 3-6.

“People are also encouraged to reinforce with their children and other family members the importance of making seatbelt use a life-long habit,” said OPP in a news release Wednesday.

“In 2025, the OPP responded to 41 road fatalities in which lack of seatbelt use was either the cause or a contributing factor. At any time, you can become involved in a collision caused by another driver,” said OPP Commissioner Thomas Carrique.

OPP laid 13,560 seatbelt charges in 2025.

“Too many lives are lost to something entirely preventable,” said Ontario Solicitor General Michael Kerzner

“Seatbelts save lives, it is that simple.”

“Ontario Provincial Police is reminding everybody that the safest place to be in during a collision is in your seat behind your seatbelt,” Dela Cruz said.

“Throughout the weekend, the OPP will be conducting seatbelt safety campaigns hoping that every driver and passengers are buckled up rather than being handed provincial offence notices (tickets).”

“We’re also focusing on the other parts of the ‘big four’ with the OPP, and that includes distracted driving, drinking and driving, as well as your speed,” added the constable.

Enforcement, penalties

The push for safe driving follows a broader call from provincial police last month, where the service highlighted the risks posed by collisions linked to speeding, distraction, impairment and lack of seatbelt use.

At that time, the OPP detailed fines and penalties associated with driving offences:

• Seatbelt violations – $240 fine + 2 demerit points
• Distracted driving – $615 fine, 3 demerit points, 3 day suspension
• Impaired driving – 90 day suspension, 7 day impound, fines starting at $1,000
• Speeding and stunt driving – escalating fines, demerit points and for stunt driving, 30 day suspension plus 14 day impound

Message from police

“The OPP urges all motorists to make safe choices and help reduce preventable injuries and fatalities on Ontario roads,” police wrote on Facebook last month.

In the video, Dela Cruz delivered a direct appeal to those planning to travel over the holiday weekend.

Police also stressed the importance of drivers making conscious choices to ensure everyone – officers and the public alike – get home safely.

“We want to get home safely to our families,” said Dela Cruz.

“OPP officers are hoping to see all drivers and passengers safely buckled in,” said police in a separate news release, also on Wednesday.