page updated:
7/7/03

What is Ohio’s safety belt law?

No person shall operate an automobile on any street or highway unless that person is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device or occupy, as a passenger, a seating position on the front seat of an automobile being operated on any street or highway unless that person is wearing all of the available elements of a properly adjusted occupant restraining device. The only exceptions are employees of the United States postal service or of a newspaper home delivery service, during any period in which the person is engaged in the operation of an automobile to deliver mail or newspapers to addressees, or a person who has an affidavit signed by a physician licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 4731. of the Revised Code or a chiropractor licensed to practice in this state under Chapter 4734. of the Revised Code that states that the person has a physical impairment that makes use of an occupant restraining device impossible or impractical.

What is Ohio’s child restraint law?

When any child who is in either or both of the following categories is being transported in a motor vehicle, other than a taxicab or public safety vehicle as defined in section 4511.01 of the Revised Code, that is registered in this state and is required by the United States department of transportation to be equipped with seat belts at the time of manufacture or assembly, the operator of the motor vehicle shall have the child properly secured in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions in a child restraint system that meets federal motor vehicle safety standards:

• A child who is less than four years of age;
• A child who weighs less than forty pounds.

Why enforce safety belt violations?

Traffic crashes claim thousands of lives and cost BILLIONS of dollars each year. Safety belts are proven to reduce the severity of the vast majority of injuries. In Ohio during 1996, it is estimated that safety belts saved 321 lives, prevented 20,026 injuries, and saved $893 million in costs.

Isn’t wearing a safety belt a personal decision which affects only me?

The decision to wear a safety belt affects many people.

First, the consequences of not wearing a safety belt can greatly affect your family and loved ones. How would it affect YOU if a loved one was killed, disabled, or seriously injured as the result of not buckling up?

Second, it is your responsibility to maintain control of your vehicle. It is not uncommon for a car to continue moving after a crash, and safety belts are your best chance of remaining able to safely steer and/or stop your car before it strikes another person or vehicle.

Finally, the cost of not wearing a safety belt is borne by all who pay insurance premiums. A crash in which a safety belted driver might receive only bumps and bruises might result a costly hospital stay for the unbelted driver. That cost is spread across the insurance premiums of ALL drivers. The National Highway Traffic Safety Agency estimates Ohioans would save over $1 billion a year if another 10 percent of drivers would wear safety belts.

Won’t a safety belt trap me in my car if it catches on fire or goes into water?

These are rare situations. However, should this occur, your best chance of survival is remaining conscious so you can escape. If you sustain heavy injuries or are rendered unconscious, your chances of escape will depend upon whether or not someone is there (and able) to save you. Wearing your safety belt greatly reduces your chance of sustaining heaving injuries, and greatly increases your chances of escaping and surviving.