COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio's State Highway Patrol is reminding people to always use seat belts.
The patrol says more than 1,300 people not wearing seat belts were killed in crashes in Ohio the past two years. The state's 2018 Observational Seatbelt Survey found only 85% of motorists in compliance with Ohio's seat belt law.
Lt. Michael Akers commands the patrol's Columbus post. He says seat belts dramatically increase the odds of surviving a crash while reducing injuries.
The patrol says 121,019 people in Ohio were convicted of driving or riding in a passenger vehicle for not wearing a seat belt last year.
The patrol says troopers stopping motorists for other violations will enforce state law if they find people not wearing seat belts.
