According to the Ontario Provincial Police, adults are the worst seatbelt offenders in the province, with people aged 25 to 54 making up around 65 per cent of seatbelt-related charges. 

Adults aged 25 to 34 were the top offenders of any age demographic with 63,846 (about 25 per cent) being adults 25 to 34-years-old.

Over the past 10 years, OPP have laid 257,475 seat belt charges.

Adults aged 35 to 44 come in second with about 20 per cent (50,863) of charges and 45 to 54 year-olds are right behind with about 20 per cent (50,488) of charges.  

Brad Blair, OPP deputy commissioner and provincial commander of traffic safety and operational support, said last year 49 people died in collisions and were “not safely buckled in at the time.”

On OPP-patrolled roads, failure to wear a seatbelt has been a factor in 639 deaths in the last 10 years.

“As a driver or passenger, it's important to respect the lifesaving value of a seat belt and the proven fact that the best position to be in during a crash is securely fastened in your seat,” Blair said.

In Ontario the law requires all motor vehicle drivers and passengers to wear a seatbelt. Drivers are also responsible for ensuring all passengers aged 16 or under wear a seatbelt or are properly secured in an appropriate child car seat. 

Transport Canada says seatbelts worn correctly can reduce the chances of death and serious injuries in a collision by approximately 50 per cent. 

Air bags are designed to work with seatbelts. If you are not wearing a seatbelt, during a collision you could be thrown into an opening airbag and be seriously injured or killed.