COLUMBUS, Ohio — We are in the 100 Deadly Days of Summer, the most dangerous time on the roads.
From July 3 - July 7, the Ohio State Highway Patrol saw an increase in fatal crashes where people were not wearing their seat belts. In seven of the nine fatal crashes on state roads where a seat belt was available, the person was not wearing it.
"Take a few moments and buckle up," said OSHP Lieutenant Ray Santiago.
In total, 16 people died from fatal crashes across the state last week.
“We would like to think that everyone is wearing their seat belts these days, but when we look at numbers we are seeing coming out of this holiday period, we know unfortunately it's not true,” Santiago explained.
“We would like to think that everyone is wearing their seat belts these days, but when we look at numbers we are seeing coming out of this holiday period, we know unfortunately it's not true,” Santiago explained.
In Ohio, not wearing a seat belt is not a primary offense. That means officers have to witness another violation to pull you over. That's something Gov. Mike DeWine is trying to change.
“In Ohio, a safety belt violation is a secondary offense. We have to observe another violation and troopers have a zero tolerance when it comes to, if we stop someone for another violation and notice someone is not wearing their safety belt,” Santiago said.
Over the holiday week, troopers gave out nearly 3,000 tickets for seat belt violations to get people to buckle up. People are given a fine, which varies by the county.
“Those are minor when you look at how serious the injuries and fatalities can be when you are not wearing your safety belt during a crash,” Santiago said.
Despite message boards and projects like click it or ticket, Santiago says by the fatalities, not everyone has gotten the message about seat belt safety.
“Unfortunately, some of these topics only become relevant to folks through tragedy. We work really hard to make sure those things don't happen,” Santiago said.
OSHP is encouraging you to call #677 if you see impaired or dangerous drivers.