OSP encourages locals to ‘buckle up, every trip, every time’
The Circleville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds people to buckle up during the upcoming holiday season and “continue to do so throughout the New Year.”
According to the OSP, 1,142 people lost their lives in crashes as a result of not wearing a safety belt in the past two years.
“It’s simple – safety belts save lives and reduce injury in crashes,” said Lt. Steven K. Herron, commander of the Circleville Post. “It is the easiest thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and friends.”
Safety belts saved the lives of 409 people in Ohio (14,668 nationwide) in 2016, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
“According to Ohio’s 2018 Observational Seatbelt Survey, more than 84 percent of motorists were found to be in compliance with Ohio’s safety belt law, an increase from 2017. Unfortunately, this illustrates far too many Ohioans still do not buckle up,” said Herron. “Ohio’s safety belt law remains a secondary violation, however troopers will continue zero tolerance enforcement when motorists are stopped for other violations and are found to not be wearing their safety belt. Last year, 124,697 people were convicted of driving or riding in a passenger vehicle without wearing a safety belt. Troopers encourage everyone to Buckle Up Every Trip, Every Time.”
Statistical analysis of safety belt violations may be viewed at statepatrol. ohio.gov/doc/Safety_Belt_ Bulletin_2018.pdf.