Patrol stepping up effort to enforce seat-beat law

5/4/2005

SANDUSKY - The Ohio Highway Patrol plans to step up enforcement of the state's seat-belt law in two area counties this month.

Lt. Greg Greggila, commander of the patrol's Sandusky post, said troopers will be working overtime the next two weeks to increase seat belt usage in Ottawa County. Lt. Ken Koverman of the patrol's Defiance post said additional troopers will be patrolling Putnam County highways to catch motorists who fail to buckle up or properly restrain children.

State law requires all front-seat occupants of cars and trucks to wear a seat belt. Children under 4 years old or 40 pounds must be restrained in a car safety seat.

Ottawa and Putnam counties are among 15 Ohio counties chosen to participate in the patrol's Rural Seat Belt Campaign. Lieutenant Greggila noted that out of the 13 people killed in traffic accidents last year in Ottawa County, seven were not wearing seat belts.