In yet another instance of a head-on crash in the Cincinnati area, one man was killed and another driver injured when the man’s car crossed the center median and struck the other driver’s car. According to the story, the crash investigation is ongoing, but one piece of information that has been noted is that the man was not wearing his seat belt. In a head-on crash, severe injuries and death are, tragically, common outcomes. In less serious crashes, though, wearing a seat belt can often mean the difference between life and death.
Buckle Up – It’s the Law
One of the simplest safety measures you can take as either a driver or a passenger is to buckle up. Besides simply being a good safety practice, however, it is also the law. According to Section 4513.263 of the Ohio Revised Code, with few exceptions, it is illegal to operate a vehicle unless everyone in the vehicle is wearing a seat belt or otherwise restrained by a safety device of some sort. According to the Governors’ Highway Safety Administration, the law in Ohio provides for various fines for failure to buckle up depending upon whether you are the driver or passenger, the age of the unbuckled vehicle occupant, and where in the vehicle the unbuckled occupant is seated.
Primary Versus Secondary Offenses
Studies have shown that seat belt usage is higher in states that have primary enforcement laws as opposed to secondary enforcement. What is the difference, you ask? In states with primary enforcement laws, police can pull someone over simply for not wearing a seat belt. By contrast, secondary enforcement means that police must have already pulled the driver over for some other violation before they can also cite the driver for violation of the seat belt law.
More Safety Belt Statistics
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute, notes that thousands of people die because they do not buckle up. It is a simple fact, but one that is hard to argue with. According to their studies, in one recent year over 12,000 lives were saved as a result of safety belt usage; the use of a lap and shoulder belt cuts the risk of death by 45 percent for drivers and front seat passengers in cars. That percentage jumps to 60 percent for those traveling in larger vehicles such as SUVs, vans, and pickups. The studies also note that most fatalities involve people who are not using seat belts.
If You Have Been Injured in an Accident, Contact Ohio Car Accident Lawyers
When you have been involved in an accident, you need to be able to turn to a reliable source for legal representation. Ohio Car Accident Lawyers CO. LPA in the place to turn to in these times. Our legal professionals are here to help you every step of the way and to guide you through an often complicated legal process as smoothly as possible. Contact us today to schedule a time to come in and meet with our skilled Cincinnati car crash attorneys for your no cost consultation. Let us help you get the results you deserve.
