The Ohio State Highway Patrol wants everyone to buckle up this upcoming holiday season, encouraging motorists to: "Buckle Up Every Trip, Every Time."
Since 2019, a total of 2,919 people, who were not wearing an available safety belt, were killed in traffic crashes on Ohio’s roadways.
“Wearing a safety belt is one of the simplest and most effective ways to stay safe on the road,” said Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine. “I urge everyone to buckle up, every trip, every time - not only for your own safety but for the safety of everyone in the vehicle.”
Statistics show 73% of vehicle occupants, aged 21 to 40, who were killed in motor vehicle crashes, were not wearing an available safety belt. Cuyahoga (2,088), Franklin (1,375), Hamilton (1,052) and Montgomery (872) counties account for more than one-third of the unbelted fatal and serious injury crashes.
"Every time you get into a vehicle, properly buckling up is one of the easiest ways to protect yourself and your loved ones from serious injury, or even death, in the event of a crash," said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. "Wearing your safety belt remains the simplest and most effective step you can take to stay safe on the road."
Ohio’s safety belt law remains a secondary violation; however, troopers will continue to have zero tolerance when motorists are stopped for other violations and are found to not be wearing their safety belt. Since 2019, troopers have issued more than 400,000 safety belt and child safety seat citations.
A statistical map containing safety belt usage, violations, and crash information can be found here: https://dam.assets.ohio.gov/image/upload/statepatrol.ohio.gov/links/SafetyBeltBulletin_2024.pdf.
The public is encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity, or stranded motorists.
