Ohio Seat Belt Statistics – Seat Belt Safety

Enacted in 1986, seat belt regulations have helped lower the number of fatalities in car accidents. Nevertheless, Ohio’s seat belt statistics show that there are still plenty of drivers who refrain from buckling up before they hit the road. If you were injured in an accident caused by one of these negligent drivers, you should call an Ohio car accident lawyer right away.

The Ohio car accident attorneys at Kisling, Nestico & Redick can help you with your case. We will fight for the award you deserve so you can focus on your recovery. Call 1-800-HURT-NOW to schedule a free consultation.

How Wearing a Seat Belt Can Save Your Life

Last year, 471 Ohioans lost their lives because they were involved in an accident when they weren’t wearing a seatbelt. However, buckling up can greatly increase your chance of surviving a car crash. Studies show that:

• Wearing your seat belt prevents you from being ejected. The number one reason you should wear a belt is to keep yourself from being thrown through your windshield on impact. People who are ejected from cars have a fairly small survival rate. In fact, three-fourths of all people ejected from a car are killed.
• Airbags alone can’t save you. Airbags are installed to provide secondary support against car crashes. Relying solely upon an airbag to keep you safe in a wreck is not wise since the force of the deployed airbag can cause serious injury or even death if you don’t have a seat belt in place.
• Seat belts are essential to wear no matter how long your road trip lasts. Many people think they don’t need to wear a seatbelt if they aren’t going far, or if they’re traveling on residential roads at moderate speeds. But, statistics show that the majority of fatal accidents occur within 25 miles of your home, and at speeds of 40 miles per hour or less.

Ohioans Are Still Forgetting To Buckle Up

Despite the many grim seat belt statistics available, there are still plenty of drivers who neglect to wear one. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the number of seatbelt violations to date in 2018 is 64,294, which is a significant increase from last year. However, there have only been 399 traffic fatalities year to date, while in 2017, there were 416 at this time.

These figures only encourage Ohio to continue its efforts to keep drivers safe. Education programs have been enacted, and fines for drivers who don’t wear their belt have increased over the years. Despite seat belt laws being a secondary violation, Ohio officers have issued over 500,000 safety belt citations in the last five years.

Hurt By A Negligent Driver? Talk to an Ohio Car Accident Lawyer Today

Despite the overwhelming evidence that it saves lives, some people aren’t willing to practice driver safety. If one of these careless drivers hurt you or a loved one in a car accident, you are entitled to seek damages. Call an Ohio car accident lawyer at Kisling, Nestico & Redick about your matter. We will fight vigorously to get you compensated for your medical bills, time off work, and pain and suffering. Contact us today at 1-800-HURT-NOW to receive a no-cost consultation of your case.