‘New Ohio Law!’ Non-Seat Belt Wearers Could Face Traffic Stops
DEBARYLIFE – A new bill supported by the governor would allow Ohioans to be pulled over for failing to wear a seat belt.
Rep. Jon Cross of Findlay, a state representative, has presented a bill that would make failing to wear a seat belt a major offense, entitling police to stop a car if they witness it.
Current Ohio law requires officers to stop a car for another infraction before reporting a seat belt violation.
On April 10, Gov. Mike DeWine advocated for a primary seat belt law during his State of the State speech. According to DeWine, Ohio has the 40th-highest rate of seat belt use in the nation (81%), compared to the 91% national average.
Primary seat belt legislation was proven to result in greater rates of use and fewer crash deaths than secondary laws by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
According to data gathered by the Ohio State Patrol, 61% of Ohio crash victims were not using seat belts.
On Wednesday at 9 a.m., Cross, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Ohio Department of Public Safety will host a press conference regarding the measure.