Area police have issued a reminder to the public to use seatbelts in vehicles after charging two drivers for failing to secure their children in their safety seats.
According to the Grey Bruce Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), officers were patrolling in Sauble Beach when they noticed a toddler standing up in a vehicle at a stop sign.
"The child had its arms holding the headrests of the driver and front passenger seats," stated a news release from police about the Aug. 4 incident. "The driver told the officer that the child was excited to see the beach."
About 30 minutes later, an officer saw two passengers not wearing seatbelts in the backseat of another vehicle. While speaking to the passengers, the officer saw a 10-month-old in a child safety seat without any restraints to hold the child in the seat.
Police say the driver told officers the child cries when wearing a car seat harness.
The two incidents occurred between 3:10 p.m. and 3:49 p.m. In both cases, a 41-year-old was charged with driving while a child passenger is not properly secured. The first driver was from Mississauga, the second was from Saskatoon.
"As a driver, wearing your seatbelt and ensuring all vehicles occupants are buckled up gives you, your family and other passengers your best chance of surviving a collision and reducing injuries," states the Grey Bruce OPP news release.
Drivers are responsible for ensuring children are secured in the proper seatbelt or child car seat when traveling in a motor vehicle.
