A seat belt takes only seconds to buckle, but those few seconds can make the difference between walking away from a collision and suffering a life-changing or fatal injury.
That message is especially important here in Windsor-Essex. As of the end of August 2026,
Essex County OPP had recorded five fatal motor-vehicle collisions this year. Police identified not wearing a seat belt as the primary factor in three of those five fatal crashes. OPP also reported 186 seat-belt charges from January through August, compared with 111 during the same period in 2025.
What Does a Seat Belt Ticket Cost in Ontario?
Ontario law requires drivers and passengers to properly wear available seat belts. Drivers are also responsible for ensuring passengers under age 16 are properly secured.
- A fine ranging from $200 to $1,000. Ontario's current set fine for a driver failing to properly wear a seat belt is $200.
Two demerit points for a driver convicted of failing to properly wear a seat belt.
- Drivers can also receive two points for certain violations involving passengers under 16.
- A possible impact on your auto insurance. Driving convictions are one of the factors insurers in Ontario can use when establishing premiums. The actual effect depends on the insurer, the driver's record and other rating factors.
Demerit points themselves remain on an Ontario driving record for two years from the offence date.
Make Buckling Up Automatic
Whether you're travelling from Windsor to Amherstburg, commuting through Essex County or simply driving a few blocks, make fastening your seat belt the first thing you do.
And before moving the vehicle, make sure everyone else is buckled too.
Technology can remind us. Police can enforce the law. But ultimately, one of the simplest and most effective vehicle-safety decisions remains in our own hands.
Buckle up. Every seat. Every trip.
For questions about traffic convictions and how they may affect your Ontario auto insurance, contact Gibb Insurance Brokers to review your coverage and insurance options.