Van Wert- There is no disputing that wearing a safety belt can save your life. That is why the Ohio State Highway Patrol is encouraging all motorists to buckle-up this upcoming holiday season and continue to do so throughout the new year. From 2011-2013 1,160 people were killed in crashes who were not wearing an available safety belt.
“It’s simple – safety belts save lives and reduce injury in crashes,” said Lt. Brode, commander of the Van Wert Post. “It is the easiest thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and your friends.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 379 lives were saved in Ohio and 12,174 were saved nationwide in 2012 as a direct result of motorists buckling up. Using a safety belt remains the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash.
According to Ohio’s 2012 Observational Seatbelt Survey, nearly 85 percent of motorists were found to be in compliance with Ohio’s safety belt law. This is the highest usage rate seen since observational studies began in 1991. While these rates appear high, far too many Ohioans still do not buckle up.
Ohio’s safety belt law remains a secondary violation, however troopers continue zero tolerance enforcement when motorists are stopped for other violations and are found to not be wearing their belt. Last year troopers wrote 97,463 citations for failure to wear a safety belt.
Troopers ask that you wear your safety belt every time and insist that those who travel with you buckle up as well. For a complete statistical analysis of safety belt violations please visit:
Click to access Safety_Belt_Bulletin_2014.pdf
The public is encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers and drug activity.
