Ohio Highway Patrol puts emphasis on seat belt usage

Safety belt usage continues to be a primary focus for the Ohio State Highway Patrol as troopers participate in the Click it or Ticket campaign. The campaign began May 13 and runs until June 2. Drivers should expect to see troopers on Ohio’s roads encouraging drivers to wear their safety belts, according to a news release from the Highway Patrol. In 2018, Ohio’s observed safety belt usage rate was 84.9 percent, a small increase from 2017 when the rate was 82.8 percent, the release said. However, Ohio still is below the national average rate of 89.6 percent, according to the release. In the last two years, 1,326 motor vehicle occupants were killed in crashes where a safety belt was available but not in use, the release said. Another 6,021 of those occupants were seriously injured, the release said. “There is no disputing that buckling up saves lives,” said Lt. Carlos M. Smith, commander of the Highway Patrol’s Elyria Post. “We want everyone on the road to get home safe, that’s why it’s important to buckle up every trip, every time.” Last year, 121,019 people were convicted of driving or riding in a passenger vehicle without wearing a safety belt, the release said.

A statistical map detailing safety belt information can be found at https://ohiohighwaysafetyoffice.ohio. gov/links/SafetyBeltBulletin2019a.pdf.