CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - Why Wear a Seat Belt?

CLERMONT COUNTY, OHIO - The Board of Clermont County Commissioners has proclaimed the week of May 12-26 as the “Click It or Ticket” awareness period in the county, urging all citizens to wear seat belts when riding in a vehicle.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Ohio’s overall seat belt usage rate stood at 81.6 percent in 2007; in Clermont County the rate is only 73 percent.

“Putting on a seat belt takes only a few seconds and is the single most effective way to protect yourself from injury or death if you are in a crash,” said Martha Enriquez with Clermont Safe Communities. 

During the “Click It or Ticket” campaign, the Clermont County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio State Patrol, and various local law enforcement agencies will step up efforts to ensure that drivers and passengers wear their seat belts.  In Ohio, the law requires front-seat passengers of cars, vans, pick-ups, commercial vehicles, and taxicabs to wear a seat belt; drivers under 18 must have all passengers secured. 

According to the latest research in this area, pick-ups have the highest rate of non-compliance, compared to passenger cars, minivans, and sport utility vehicles.  Women have a higher rate of seatbelt usage than men, and those between the ages of 15 and 25 are least likely to wear a seat belt.

For more information on traffic safety, visit Clermont Safe Communities at www.ClermontHealthDistrict.org.