(CENTRE WELLINGTON TOWNSHIP, ON) - A driver is facing a costly charge stemming from a traffic stop at a RIDE program.

On August 13, 2025, at approximately 2:30 pm, the Wellington County Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) were conducting a Reduce Impaired Driving Everywhere (RIDE) program on Orangeville Road in Fergus.

During the initiative, a 45-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan, was charged under the Highway Traffic Act with the following offence after their 12-year-old child was found to not be wearing their seatbelt:

• Drive while passenger under 16 fails to properly wear a seat belt

This charge is accompanied by a $240 fine.

The Wellington County OPP are urging drivers and passengers to buckle up. Wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to protect yourself from serious injury or death in the event of a collision.