Survey shows Ohio’s seat belt usage has dropped to lowest level in 18 years
Seat belt usage has dropped in Ohio to its lowest in nearly 20 years, according to data from a study by the Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
Only 80% of Ohioans are routinely using their seat belt.
“We want seat belt use to be an automatic habit for drivers and passengers alike,” said Emily Davidson, OTSO executive director. “Unrestrained deaths are completely preventable. Buckling up is the simplest thing you can do to limit injury or save your life during a crash.”
Looking at the statistics
Ohio’s rate for using seat belts was only 80.8% in 2022 compared to the national rate of 91.6%, the lowest compliance rate since 2005.
The public safety department found 527 people in Ohio in 2022 were killed in crashes where a seat belt was available but not in use.
“Properly wearing a safety belt saves lives and reduces the risk of injuries,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “When a safety belt is properly worn, the potential for crash-related injuries and death decreases dramatically.”
Survey results showed that out of any drivers, truck drivers had the lowest compliance rate of any vehicle type.
Ohio had the lowest compliance rate in the state for drivers using seat belts when traveling on local roads.
Cuyahoga County had the lowest overall compliance at 59.0%, while Guernsey County had the highest overall compliance at 84.9 percent.
“No matter the type of vehicle you’re driving in or the type of road you’re driving on, the best way to protect yourself in case of a crash is to wear your seat belt,” said Davidson. “Unfortunately, so many Ohio families are suffering because their loved ones did not follow this simple step. Last year, 527 Ohioans died because they did not buckle their seat belts – that’s more than one person per day.”
Click It or Ticket
The seat belt campaign for Click It or Ticket season has already started for Ohio drivers traveling for Memorial Day.
Click It or Ticket seat belt enforcement season runs from May 22 to June 4 throughout Ohio and the nation.
“Properly wearing a safety belt saves lives and reduces the risk of injuries,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol. “When a safety belt is properly worn, the potential for crash-related injuries and death decreases dramatically.”
A seat belt citation results in a $30 fine for the driver of the vehicle and a $20 fine for a passenger.
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