Ohio Governor Mike DeWine wants to make wearing seat belts a must in the state. Right now, only 80.8% of drivers and passengers use seat belts. This is one of the lowest rates in the country.
DeWine is acting because 61% of people killed in car crashes weren’t wearing seatbelts. He wants to make Ohio safer on the roads.
The new law would let police stop and ticket drivers who don’t wear seatbelts. This change could make 6.4% more people use seatbelts in the first year.
Current Ohio Seat Belt Laws and Statistics
Ohio’s seat belt law is a secondary offense. This means drivers can only get a ticket for not wearing a seat belt if they’re pulled over for another reason. In 2022, Ohio’s seat belt usage rate was 80.8%, the lowest in 18 years. This is much lower than the national average of over 91%.
Ohio’s Seat Belt Usage Rate Dropped to 80.8% in 2022
In 2022, Ohio saw 1,180 fatalities in crashes, making it the 9th deadliest state. Sadly, 527 people weren’t wearing seat belts, making up over 60% of all traffic deaths.
Ohio is One of 15 States with a Secondary Seat Belt Law
Ohio is one of just 15 states with a secondary seat belt law. Experts think this law is why Ohio’s usage rate is so low. The fine for not wearing a seat belt is $30 for the driver and $20 for a passenger. There are no plans to increase these fines.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Ohio Seat Belt Usage Rate (2022) | 80.8% |
| National Average Seat Belt Usage Rate | 91% |
| Traffic Fatalities in Ohio (2022) | 1,180 |
| Fatalities of Unbelted Individuals | 527 (60%) |
| Number of States with Secondary Seat Belt Laws | 15 |
| Current Seat Belt Fine (Driver/Passenger) | $30/$20 |
“Failure to use seatbelts in Ohio has resulted in unnecessary deaths each year.”
Safety officials say Ohio is in the bottom 10 for seat belt use. They want tougher laws to improve safety.
Gov. DeWine Proposes New Seat Belt Law for Ohio
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine wants to make a new seat belt law. The current law is not strong enough, with Ohio ranking 40th in the country for seat belt use. Only 81% of Ohioans wear seat belts, which is below the national average of 91%.
Proposal to Allow Police to Stop Drivers for Not Wearing Seat Belts
The new law would make not wearing a seat belt a main reason for police to stop drivers. This is a big change from the current law. State Representative Jon Cross says this could make 6.4% more people wear seat belts in the first year.
Potential Increase in Seat Belt Usage by 6.4% in First Year
This law could really help Ohio. Last year, 61% of people who died in crashes weren’t wearing seat belts. Supporters believe strict rules will make drivers wear seat belts more often. They point to Ohio’s distracted driving law, which cut incidents by over 8%.
The new seat belt law hasn’t been introduced yet, but it’s getting support. Governor DeWine wants stronger laws, and groups like the Ohio State Highway Patrol agree.
With this law, 49 lives could be saved each year. It could really help make Ohio’s roads safer. This law could be key to protecting drivers and passengers in Ohio.
Proponents and Opponents of the Proposed Law
Ohio’s seat belt usage is at 81%, below the national average of 91%. In 2022, 527 people died in car crashes without seat belts, making up over 60% of fatal crashes. Supporters, like the Ohio Department of Public Safety, say a new law would save lives by making more people wear seat belts.
Arguments for Increased Road Safety and Saved Lives
Supporters say more lives could be saved if Ohioans wore their seat belts more often. As the Ohio Department of Public Safety Director notes, many who died in accidents might have lived if they had worn belts. They believe a new law could stop more deaths and save lives on Ohio’s roads.
But, some lawmakers and drivers worry about the law’s fairness and how it might limit personal freedom. Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman plans to listen to feedback as the bill moves through the Senate. He wants to find a balance between keeping roads safe and protecting individual rights.
- Ohio’s seat belt usage is 81%, the tenth lowest in the country.
- In 2022, 527 fatalities happened because people weren’t wearing seat belts, over 60% of all fatal crashes.
- Governor Mike DeWine wants to make seat belt violations a primary offense, so cops can stop vehicles for just that reason.
- Some lawmakers and drivers are worried about how the law would be enforced and how it might affect personal freedom.
“Individuals who perished in accidents in the past may have survived had they worn seat belts.”
– Ohio Department of Public Safety Director
Impact on Law Enforcement and Ticketing
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine wants a new seat belt law enforcement. People worry about how tickets will be given out and the cost of fines for drivers. The Ohio Department of Public Safety thinks a primary seat belt law won’t be too hard for police. But, some lawmakers are unsure.
Senate President Matt Huffman fears tickets will hit those who can’t afford them the most. Speaker of the Ohio House Jason Stephens talks about “personal responsibility” and “personal freedom.” To fix this, supporters want to make sure the law is applied fairly by tracking citations online.
The new law aims to get more people to use seat belts, which dropped to 80.8% in 2022. Supporters say a primary law would save lives, as most people killed in crashes weren’t buckled up. But, we need to think about how it will affect low-income drivers.
Ensuring Fairness and Affordability
To make sure seat belt tickets are fair and fines aren’t too high, lawmakers are looking at a few things:
- Public tracking of citations to make sure everyone is treated equally
- Fines based on how much you can afford
- Community service or safety classes instead of fines
- Warnings or grace periods for first-time offenders
These ideas try to make sure the road is safer without hurting people who can’t afford it. As the law is made, lawmakers must think about these points to make a fair and good seat belt law.
Legislative Challenges and Outlook
The proposed primary seat belt law in Ohio is facing a tough road in the state legislature. House Speaker Jason Stephens and Senate President Matt Huffman doubt the idea. Huffman said the promise was it would never be a primary law. House Democrats were also caught off guard, wanting more time to talk about it.
Rep. Jon Cross, the bill’s sponsor, knows it will be hard to pass. He thinks it might need a lot of negotiation and compromise. The political landscape in Ohio makes the future of the ohio seat belt law uncertain. There are potential legislative obstacles ahead.
The debate on the Ohio seat belt law is ongoing. Policymakers must think about the benefits of road safety versus opponents’ concerns. The outcome will affect the state’s efforts to improve driving and lower traffic deaths.