Lawmakers are considering legislation they say would save lives by strengthening the state's current seat belt law, which in most cases only covers drivers and passengers in the front seat of a vehicle. Each year, about 500 back - seat passengers are killed in traffic accidents, and most are not buckled in, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Officers say fines are needed to encourage more seat belt use.
Some members of the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee and groups which have testified on the bill have voiced opposition to the increase. Members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol testified in favor of the bill. The belief that passengers not wearing a seat belt will be thrown clear in an accident is not true, said Staff Lt. John Born, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol. Mark Davidson, a lobbyist for Nationwide Insurance, testified that his life had been saved by a seat belt.