Seat belts not used in most fatal crashes this year

NEWARK – What started as a deadly trend in 2014 has continued into the first five months of 2015 when it comes to fatal crashes in Licking County.

Eleven of 17 fatal crashes in 2014 involved drivers or passengers who were not wearing seat belts. So far in 2015, there have been eight deaths resulting from six crashes. Seven of those deaths were of drivers or passengers who were not restrained.

“We’ve got to do something,” Ohio State Highway Patrol Lt. Kevin Miller said.

The Highway Patrol’s annual nationwide Click it or Ticket campaign begins May 18, but Miller didn’t want to wait that long for increased enforcement.

Beginning Thursday, Miller asked troopers from the surrounding posts to come into Licking County and work additional patrols.

The focal point of those special patrols is drivers who are not wearing their seat belts.

“Writing tickets is just a piece of the puzzle,” he said. “The most important aspect is the voluntary compliance.”

Miller said drivers can take responsibility for themselves and their passengers by ensuring everybody in their vehicle is wearing a seat belt.

Not having a seat belt on is currently a secondary violation under Ohio law. That means that a trooper or law enforcement officer cannot issue a ticket solely for not wearing a seat belt.

Three of the eight total fatalities in 2015 occurred within a five-day period. James Loats, 46, of Granville, was killed May 8 when his vehicle drifted left of center and struck a semi truck on Ohio 16. Loats may not have been restrained at the time of the crash.

On May 10, Richard Rodriguez of Columbus died when his motor home crashed on Ohio 158. Miller said Rodriguez was not wearing a seat belt and troopers are investigating whether a medical issue may also have played a part in the crash.

Monday, 18-year-old Jessica Sivik died when her car rear-ended another vehicle on Ohio 158, spun and was struck head-on by another vehicle. Authorities say she was wearing a seatbelt.