Buckling Up: Ohio's Seatbelt Law And You

In Ohio, seat belt laws require anyone riding in the front seats of a motor vehicle to wear a seat belt. While the state's seat belt laws have been in place for some time, the specific enforcement of these laws has been a topic of discussion in recent years. Ohio is one of 15 states where police officers must first pull over a driver for another violation before issuing a ticket for not wearing a seat belt. However, in May 2024, an Ohio lawmaker proposed a change to this law, suggesting that police should be able to pull over drivers specifically for not wearing a seat belt. This proposal sparked debates about personal freedom versus road safety, and it is unclear whether the law will be amended.

Ohio's seat belt laws for adults

In Ohio, anyone aged 16 and over must wear a seat belt if they are riding in the front passenger or driver seat of a car. Adults are not required by law to wear a seat belt if they are riding in the back seat, but they have the option to do so.

Ohio is one of 15 states with secondary enforcement of seat belt laws, meaning that police officers cannot pull over drivers or passengers for not wearing a seat belt. They can, however, ticket someone for not wearing a seat belt if they are pulled over for another violation.

The current law in Ohio states that drivers and front-seat passengers aged 15 and over must wear a seat belt. Anyone aged eight to 14 must also wear a seat belt in any seat of the car, while children aged seven and under must use a car or booster seat.

However, this law may soon change. In May 2024, State Rep. Jon Cross announced plans to introduce a bill that would make failing to wear a seat belt in the front seat a primary offence. This would mean that police officers could pull over drivers specifically for not wearing a seat belt, rather than having to pull them over for another violation first.

Gov. Mike DeWine has also been pushing for stronger seat belt laws in Ohio, stating that the state has an obligation to keep children safe on the roads. However, Republican lawmakers have resisted these efforts, arguing that stricter seat belt laws would infringe on personal liberty.

Seat belt laws for children

In Ohio, children from ages 8 to 15 must wear a seat belt at all times in the car, whether they are in the front seat or the back seat. This is according to the Ohio Department of Public Safety. If the child is riding in a car safety seat or a car booster seat, the driver should ensure the safety seat attaches to the seat belt properly.

According to Ohio Revised Code Section 4511.81, drivers must follow specific rules to ensure the safety of children under 8 in a moving vehicle. The use of a child safety seat or a booster seat ensures the child receives the proper restraint in the event of a crash. An adult seat belt will not fit a young child's body properly, which could lead to injuries.

The rules for children under 8 are as follows:

• Any child under 4 years old or weighing under 40 pounds must ride in a child safety seat.
• Children who outgrow a child safety seat should use a booster seat until they turn 8.
• Children taller than 4 feet 9 inches do not need to use a booster seat, as they should fit into a regular seat belt properly.
• Children can continue to use a booster seat after they turn 8 if the parent wishes.

There are consequences for not adhering to these laws. While police officers in Ohio can't pull a driver over for not wearing a seat belt, they can issue a ticket for this violation if the driver has been pulled over for another reason or has been in a car accident. Fines for not wearing a seat belt are typically $30 for the driver and $20 for the passenger. For not placing a child in the proper booster seat or child safety seat, the fine is usually between $25 and $75.

Fines for seat belt violations

In Ohio, police officers cannot pull over a driver if they see that the driver or passengers are not wearing a seatbelt. The officer must pull over the driver for another violation or investigate a car accident before issuing a ticket for not wearing a seatbelt.

The fine in Ohio for a driver not wearing a seatbelt is usually around $30, while the fine for a passenger is about $20. The driver does not receive additional fines if an adult passenger does not wear a seatbelt.

If a driver does not secure young children in a car seat, they could receive a fine for this type of violation. In Ohio, the fine for not placing a child in the proper booster seat or child safety seat usually ranges from $25 to $75.

Should you receive a ticket for violating Ohio’s laws regarding seat belts and car seats, you should not lose any points on your driver’s license for this particular violation. However, you could lose points for another violation that accompanied the seat belt ticket.

Fines for car seat violations

In Ohio, the fine for not placing a child in the proper booster seat or child safety seat usually ranges from $25 to $75. The driver is responsible for ensuring that children are secured in the correct type of seat, and police will not fine the children.

The booster seat law was enacted in October 2009, and it requires children between the ages of 4 and 8 to use a booster seat unless they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall. This law was expanded from the previous version, which only required children to be buckled into car seats until they were 4 years old and 40 pounds.

According to the Ohio Department of Public Safety, 89 children aged 4-8 were killed in motor vehicle crashes, and over 21,000 were injured between 2002 and 2007. Booster seats provide better protection for children who are often too big for car seats but too small for adult seat belts.

In addition to the booster seat law, Ohio also has specific seat belt laws for children and adults. Children between the ages of 8 and 15 must wear a seat belt at all times, regardless of their seating position in the vehicle. For adults aged 16 and older, wearing a seat belt is required when riding in the front passenger or driver seat. However, it is not mandatory for adults to wear seat belts when riding in the back seat, although it is recommended for safety reasons.

The fines for seat belt violations in Ohio are typically $30 for the driver and $20 for the passenger. It is important to note that in Ohio, police officers cannot pull over a driver solely for a seat belt violation. Another violation or an investigated car accident is required before a ticket can be issued for not wearing a seat belt.

Losing points on a driver's license

In Ohio, wearing a seatbelt has been a legal requirement for those riding in the front seats of a motor vehicle since at least 2024. While there is no exact date for when this became law, we do know that as of 2024, anyone aged 16 and over must wear a seatbelt if they are riding in the front passenger or driver seat.

Now, onto the topic of losing points on a driver's license in Ohio.

In Ohio, accumulating 12 points or more on your driving record within a two-year period can result in a suspended license. The Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) sends out warning letters when a driver reaches six points, listing the violations and the corresponding number of points. If you accumulate 12 points or more, the BMV will issue a 12-point suspension letter, explaining that your license will be suspended for six months and outlining the steps to reinstate it.

Requirements for Reinstating a Suspended License

To reinstate your license after a 12-point suspension, you must:

• Serve a six-month suspension period.
• Complete a remedial driving course.
• File a certificate of insurance (SR-22/bond).
• Pay a reinstatement fee.
• Retake the driver's license exam.

Reducing Points on Your License

If you have between two and twelve points on your license, you can take a driving instruction course. Passing this course will result in the BMV removing two points from your record. However, you can only take this course once every three years and a maximum of five times in your lifetime.

Avoiding Point Accumulation

To avoid accumulating points, you have a few options:

• Avoid committing any traffic violations for more than two years, as points age out of the suspension period after this time.
• Take the remedial driving course to immediately remove two points.
• Fight traffic violations in court to prevent new points from being added to your record.

Appealing a 12-Point License Suspension

If you receive a 12-point suspension, you have 20 days to file a petition to appeal the decision. You can file this petition with your local municipal or county court, requesting either limited driving privileges due to hardship or an opportunity to oppose the suspension. Filing this petition initiates a lawsuit against the BMV.

Remember, accumulating points on your driving record will likely result in increased car insurance rates, so it's important to drive safely and follow traffic laws to avoid suspensions and higher insurance premiums.

Frequently asked questions