Cross Holds Press Conference on Seatbelt Safety Legislation

COLUMBUS –State Rep. Jon Cross (R-Findlay) today hosted a press conference with members of Governor DeWine’s Administration on soon to be introduced legislation to promote seatbelt safety.

The bill will specifically make the failure to wear a seatbelt or the failure to properly secure a child in the appropriate booster seat or seat belt a primary offense. Current law designates this as a secondary offense.

“The goal of this legislation is to save lives and to increase safety on our roads,” said Cross. “Many other states have made not wearing a seat belt a primary offense and it’s time for Ohio to follow suit.”

According to AAA, in 2023, 49,768 of the 252,000 crashes reported to the Ohio State Highway Patrol were unbelted. Ohio was also identified as being one of 10 states with the lowest seat belt use at 80.8% in 2022.

This legislation awaits a bill number and House committee assignment.