A person in a car is buckling their seatbelt

Seat Belt Safety

If you live in the province of Ontario, chances are you already know that seat belts are mandatory for drivers and all passengers. This is because wearing your seat belt properly will dramatically increase your chance of surviving a motor vehicle collision (as well as help to reduce the severity of injuries). In fact, according to Transport Canada, for every one percent increase in seat belt usage, five lives are saved. Since car crashes are the leading cause of death and injury to children in Canada, it’s especially important that we know and follow the rules when it comes to seat belt safety.

Read on for lesson plans and important seat belt safety tips.

Lesson Plans by Grade Level

Logo of a car with a driver inside

Vehicle Safety

Junior - Grades 4 to 6 Small groups contribute to a gallery of safety posters addressing rules and safety suggestions for cycling, riding an ATV, in-line skating, skateboarding, walking and snowmobiling.
Icon of a pedestrian

Transportation and Safety

Intermediate - Grades 7 and 8 Use this discussion and activity-based lesson plan to demonstrate how technology, such as cell phones and GPS, can impact your awareness of your surroundings and your ability to concentrate on potential dangers when you’re on the go.
Logo of a car with a driver inside

Risky Behaviour and Prevention

Secondary - Grades 9 to 12 Through a group discussion and questionnaire-based exercise, students will learn about unsafe behaviours around different modes of transportation, like driving. Then, a fun guessing game activity will teach them why it’s important to recognize and understand road signs.

Download a transcript of this video.

Staying Safe with Seat Belts

Icon of a seat belt

  • A typical seat belt consists of a lap and shoulder belt. The shoulder portion of the belt must be worn closely against the body and centered across the shoulder and middle of the chest, never under the arm. The lap portion of the belt must be snug against the body and across the hips, not the stomach. Make sure your seat belt isn’t twisted.
  • In Ontario, every person travelling in a vehicle must wear a seat belt or use a child car seat.
  • One seat belt per person: Never double up with two people sharing one seat belt.
  • Wearing your seat belt properly will dramatically increase your chance of surviving a motor vehicle collision.
  • Children under the age of 13, regardless of their size, are safest in the back seat of the car away from the airbags.
  • While airbags will help protect you during a collision, you still need to wear a seat belt as well.
Icon of a child in a car seat

  • Child car seats and/or booster seats are required for children up to the age of eight who weigh between 18 kg to 36 kg (40-80 lb.) and who stand less than 145 cm (4 feet 9 inches) tall.
  • Drivers are responsible for ensuring any children under age 16 who are not big enough or old enough to use a seat belt are secured in an appropriate child car seat or booster seat.
  • Properly installed child car seats and booster seats can significantly reduce the chance of children getting hurt and/or killed in a collision.
  • For additional information on child car seats, including booster seats, visit ontario.ca/carseats
Icon of a seatbelt with a dollar sign above it

In Ontario, each person travelling in a motor vehicle must wear a seat belt or use a child car seat. Drivers face a fine if they (or anyone in the vehicle under age 16) is not wearing a seat belt or secured in a proper child seat. The penalty for a seat belt or child car seat infraction includes a fine of up to $1,000, and convicted drivers receive two demerit points.

Resources