OSP recognizes seatbelt users

TOLEDO --- The Findlay and Bucyrus districts of the Ohio State Highway Patrol teamed up with the Toledo-Lucas County Health Department (TLCHD), AAA and the Toledo Mud Hens for the 2024 Buckle Up – Batter Up Saved by the Belt event at Fifth Third Field. The Saved by the Belt Club is a joint effort by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Ohio State Highway Patrol, designed to recognize people who have benefited from their decision to wear safety belts. "Those who were recognized before tonight's game were involved in traffic crashes here in northwest Ohio – and in each instance, their choice to buckle up saved them from sustaining life-threatening injuries," said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. "Thank you to all of our partners for your involvement in tonight's event. The "Saved by the Belt" program has proven to be a very successful way to recognize people who have benefited from the life-saving benefits of safety belt usage." During a pregame ceremony Saturday, 13 people joined the Saved by the Belt Club before a game between the Toledo Mud Hens and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRaiders. The recipients were saved from sustaining life-threatening injuries in northwest Ohio crashes due to their decision to wear safety belts. Each inductee was presented with a "Saved by the Belt" certificate signed by Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Andy Wilson and Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. In addition to the certificate, they also received a Saved by the Belt commemorative license plate. Those honored as the newest members of Ohio's Saved by the Belt Club include: Caleb T. Kinney, 16, Bellevue. The crash occurred January 14 on state Route 269 near milepost 3 in Thompson Township, Seneca County. John M. Maxey, 74, and Judity A. Maxey, 74, both of Bowling Green. The crash occurred December 12 on SR 25 at Sugar Ridge Road in Center Township, Wood County. Before the game, the inductees were recognized on the field and had a group photo taken. Troopers presented the colors and Trooper Jerome A. Thomas sang the National Anthem. Saved by the Belt award recipient Jonah W. Barnes, 9, Payne, TLCHD Deputy Health Commissioner Shannon Jones and Trooper Casimir A. Von Sacken, Findlay District Trooper of the Year, threw out ceremonial first pitches. In addition to the event, Teddy Trooper visited with children during the game, the Cleveland Police Historical Society and Museum in partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol Retirees' Association displayed vintage cruisers outside the stadium and a Patrol bagpiper played. Data from 2023 shows 472 people in Ohio were killed in traffic crashes where a safety belt was available, but not in use. This means 60% of those traffic fatalities with a safety belt available were not wearing it at the time of their crash. Of the lives lost across the state, 84 were on northwest Ohio roadways. For up-to-date statistics and crash information related to safety belts, log onto the Patrol's Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS) Safety Belt Dashboard.