New Ohio Seat Belt Campaign Fails to Tackle Crisis Depth

Ohio's highways tell a grim story. In 2024, 64% of people killed in traffic crashes were not wearing seat belts, despite available restraints. This marks the fifth year in a row where over 60% of crash victims were unbuckled. A new campaign, launched by state officials on July 2, 2025, aims to change that. Dubbed 'Hard Hitter,' it uses football imagery to show how an unbelted passenger can strike others with devastating force, like a linebacker charging at full speed.

This campaign, while creative, only scratches the surface. Ohio's seat belt compliance rate sits at 85.2%, well below the national average of 91.2%. The gap translates to hundreds of preventable deaths each year. For those who value protecting lives, especially the most vulnerable, this constitutes a public health crisis demanding bold action, moving beyond catchy slogans.

The stakes are clear. Unbelted passengers risk their own safety and endanger everyone in the vehicle. Children, elderly riders, and rear-seat passengers often bear the brunt. This issue highlights collective responsibility, moving beyond the idea of personal choice alone. Ohio's leaders have a chance to act, but will they seize it?

Evidence points to one solution above others: primary enforcement laws. These allow police to stop drivers solely for not wearing a seat belt, unlike Ohio's current secondary enforcement, which requires another violation first. Studies from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration show primary laws increase belt use by about 6%. In Ohio, that could push compliance to 92%, saving an estimated 161 lives annually, according to the Ohio Crash Outcome Data Evaluation System.

Beyond lives, there's a financial toll. Unbelted crashes cost Ohio's Medicaid program millions yearly. Reaching 92% compliance could save $15 million annually in medical costs, easing the burden on taxpayers. Thirty-four states with primary laws already see higher usage rates than Ohio. Neighbors like Michigan and Kentucky prove it works. So why does Ohio lag?

Opponents argue that stronger laws infringe on freedom. When unbelted drivers cause harm to others, freedom comes with a cost. The data is undeniable: seat belts cut fatal injury risk by 45% for front-seat occupants. Stronger enforcement aims to ensure everyone gets home safely, rather than being about control.

Rear-seat passengers, often children or elderly, face unique risks. Ohio's laws don't mandate belt use in back seats, a dangerous loophole. The 'Hard Hitter' campaign notes that belt use drops on local roads and in ride-shares, where rear-seat riders are common. Closing this gap requires clear rules alongside awareness efforts.

Education alone is not enough. Mandating rear-seat belt use, paired with visible enforcement, could protect those least able to advocate for themselves. Families of crash victims, who often face lifelong grief, deserve this change.

Public health advocates also point to equity. Low-income and rural drivers, who show lower compliance, face higher crash risks. Stronger laws, coupled with transparent enforcement data to prevent profiling, can ensure safety without unfair targeting. Protecting everyone means leaving no one behind.

Ohio's struggle with seat belts isn't new. Since mandating front-seat use in 1986, the state has relied on secondary enforcement. Compliance peaked at 85% in 2014 but fell to 80.8% in 2022, prompting the Safety Belt Task Force in 2023. Past legislative efforts to adopt primary enforcement failed in 2009, 2010, 2017, and 2024, often stalled by debates over personal choice.

Meanwhile, most neighboring states moved forward. Indiana, Michigan, Kentucky, and West Virginia all have primary laws and higher belt use. Ohio's inaction has consequences: two-thirds of crash fatalities involve unbelted occupants, a preventable tragedy. History shows that relying solely on voluntary compliance or vehicle tech, like belt alerts, falls short.

A practical solution exists. Passing House Bill 536, or a similar primary enforcement law, could transform Ohio's roads. Adding driver-point penalties or higher fines would reinforce the message. To address equity concerns, lawmakers could require annual public reports on traffic stops, ensuring fairness. A first-offender diversion program, where violators take a safety course instead of paying fines, could ease tensions.

Pairing legislation with campaigns like 'Hard Hitter' maximizes impact. Research shows media and enforcement together boost compliance by up to 54%. Investing in tech, like seat belt interlocks, could further help. Automakers, already deploying advanced alerts, stand ready to partner. This approach focuses on building a culture of safety, rather than punishing drivers.

Ohio's roads are at a crossroads. Every unbelted death is a reminder of what's at stake: lives, families, and communities. The 'Hard Hitter' campaign represents a step, though it is insufficient on its own. Stronger laws, focused on protecting all passengers, can close the gap between Ohio and safer states.

Advocates for public health, from trauma doctors to safety NGOs, agree: primary enforcement saves lives. While the $91 million in Medicaid savings over a decade is a bonus, the primary benefit is fewer grieving families. Ohioans deserve leaders who act on evidence, demonstrating resolve.

This is a moment to prioritize safety over excuses. By passing tougher laws, mandating rear-seat belts, and funding enforcement, Ohio can lead. The choice is simple: protect lives today or mourn them tomorrow. The road to safety starts with buckling up, every seat, every trip.