The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is reminding all drivers and passengers that wearing a safety belt is the single most effective way to save lives and reduce injuries in the event of a crash.
“Wearing a safety belt is not just a law—it’s a lifesaver,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “It’s a simple step everyone can take to protect themselves and their families every time they get in a vehicle.”
Ohio law requires all front-seat occupants to wear a seatbelt, as well as all passengers under 15 years old, regardless of where they are seated.
While the law remains a secondary violation, troopers say they will issue citations to any unbuckled motorists stopped for other violations.
Since 2020, OSHP statistics show that 2,808 people not wearing available safety belts were killed in crashes.
Among occupants ages 21–40 killed in that period, 73% were unbuckled.
Troopers also issued more than 340,000 safety belt and child safety seat citations during that time.
Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent, urged Ohioans to “make a commitment to safety and to always wear their safety belt. A safety belt can be the difference between a minor injury and a fatal outcome.”
OSHP also offers these key safety tips:
- Buckle up every trip, every time.
- Check for proper fit. Shoulder belts should lie across the chest, lap belts low across the hips.
- Secure children correctly with age- and size-appropriate car seats or boosters.
- Be a role model for others in your vehicle.
Troopers continue to enforce safety belt laws as part of their daily patrol duties to reduce fatalities and serious injuries.
The public is also encouraged to report impaired drivers, drug activity, or stranded motorists by safely calling #677.
