04/26/2012

Questions & Answers Regarding Ohio's New Seat Belt Law

In 1986, Ohio joined several other states by passing a law requiring seat belt use in passenger automobiles. New York State passed the first seat belt law in 1984 due in large part to the leadership of Dr. John States, an orthopedic surgeon and automotive safety advocate.

Though state laws mandating seat belt use would later prove extremely effective in reducing the rate of car accident fatalities, the laws were considered somewhat controversial at the time. Some were unconvinced of the safety of seat belts, while others objected to the laws on grounds of personal liberty.

To help explain the new law and address common concerns, Ohio ACEP and the Wright State University Medical School’s Department of Emergency Medicine teamed up to develop an educational brochure. This marked one of the first times Ohio ACEP was involved in developing materials to enhance awareness among the general public.