Fatalities were up slightly in Kentucky in 1997 and 1998, but are on pace to be lower this year, state police say. Fatalities in Ohio were up in 1996 and 1997. And after a small decrease in 1998, Ohio is on pace this year to again see an increase in deaths. In most cases, factors leading to deadly crashes in Ohio and Kentucky in 1998 were similar to the national averages. Nearly the same percent involved speeding, bad weather and alcohol, according to an Enquirer analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data.
Authorities attribute the difference to use of seat belts.
They say not enough people in Ohio and Kentucky are wearing them. Gary Lewis, a spokesman with the Ohio State Highway Patrol in Columbus. You can increase your chances by wearing a seat belt. Seat belts cut the risk by half, says Julie Rochman, spokeswoman for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an Arlington, Va.-based group financed by the nation's auto insurers. You continue to move at whatever speed the vehicle was traveling.