The Ohio State Highway Patrol says there is simply no disputing that wearing a safety belt can save your life. That is why they are reminding all motorists to buckle-up this upcoming holiday season and continue to do so throughout the New Year. This is in response to seven of the 13 killed during the Thanksgiving Holiday not wearing a safety belt.
“It’s simple – safety belts save lives and reduce injury in crashes,” said Colonel Paul A Pride, Patrol superintendent. “It is the easiest thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and your friends.”
From 2010-2012 1,193 people were killed in crashes who were not wearing an available safety belt. There were 11 fatalities in Marion County during that time.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates 340 lives were saved in Ohio and 11,949 were saved nationwide in 2011 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, 82 percent of motorists were found to be in compliance with Ohio’s safety belt law. 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 94,461 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 www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/doc/Safety_Belt_Bulletin_2013.pdf
The public is encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers and drug activity.
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