TORONTO, Ont. – It’s been almost four decades since wearing a seat belt became law in Ontario, but for some reason the police still have to remind people to wear them.

Ontario Provincial Police launched the annual fall seat belt blitz on Monday morning.

The OPP estimates that for every one per cent increase in seatbelt use, five lives are saved in Ontario every year.

Police said wearing a seat belt is the single most effective way to reduce injuries and deaths in car crashes

“It’s a tragic event when something so easy as putting a seat belt on can save a person’s life,” OPP Sgt. Dave Woodford said, as he recalled one of the worst and most preventable crashes he’s seen. “There were 11 people in a vehicle, five were ejected and killed.”

The kickoff for the event took place at the Yorkdale Shopping Centre on Monday, with a free car seat clinic that operated until 9 a.m.

Not wearing a seat belt means a fine of $200 and two demerit points.