Understanding Ohio's Seatbelt Law: When Can You Be Ticketed?

Columbus, Ohio – A recent social media video has shed light on a specific aspect of Ohio's seatbelt law, clarifying how violations are enforced in the state. According to the video, Ohio law mandates that both drivers and front-seat passengers must wear seatbelts. However, the law is categorized as a "secondary enforcement" offense. This means that law enforcement officers cannot pull over a vehicle solely for a seatbelt violation. The video explains that a citation for not wearing a seatbelt can only be issued if a driver is first stopped for another primary traffic offense, such as running a stop sign or speeding. Once a primary violation has occurred and a stop is initiated, officers can then add a seatbelt violation to the ticket. The speaker in the video emphasized the personal importance of always wearing a seatbelt for safety, regardless of the enforcement rules.