During a recent Ohio House Criminal Justice Committee meeting, discussions centered on House Bill 536, which aims to make seat belt violations a primary offense. Advocates for the bill emphasized that while approximately 80% of Ohioans already wear seat belts, the remaining 20% who do not significantly impact public safety and healthcare costs.

Dean McCarthy, representing the Ohio Insurance Institute, highlighted alarming statistics from the Ohio Department of Public Safety, noting that over 60% of traffic fatalities involve individuals not wearing seat belts. He pointed out that the financial burden of these accidents extends beyond the individuals involved, with non-users contributing to rising insurance premiums and public costs. McCarthy estimated that Ohioans collectively bear at least $2.8 billion annually due to seat belt non-use, a figure that reflects the broader societal costs of crashes, including medical care and lost productivity.

Kara Hitchens from AAA Club Alliance echoed these sentiments, stating that Ohio ranks 40th in the nation for seat belt use, with a usage rate of only 80.8% in 2022. She noted that the proposed legislation would align Ohio with 35 other states that have already enacted primary seat belt laws, which have been shown to reduce fatalities and injuries significantly.

The meeting also addressed the enforcement aspect, with a representative from the Ohio Highway Patrol indicating that the number of seat belt citations issued in 2023 ranged between 50,000 and 60,000. There was speculation that making seat belt violations a primary offense could increase this number, thereby enhancing compliance and potentially saving lives.

Both McCarthy and Hitchens urged committee members to support the bill, framing it as a critical step toward improving road safety and reducing unnecessary costs associated with traffic accidents. The discussions underscored a growing recognition of the need for stronger seat belt laws in Ohio, as advocates continue to push for legislative change.