From SAFE COMMUNITIES OF WOOD COUNTY
Wood County Safe Communities, in partnership with local law enforcement, Ohio Department of Transportation, and trauma professionals from UToledo Health, will host a “Click It or Ticket” kick-off press conference to raise awareness about the importance of seat belt use.
The event will take place at the Ohio Department of Transportation, 317 E. Poe Road, Bowling Green, on Friday, May 15, at 10 a.m.
This press conference marks the start of the national “Click It or Ticket” enforcement campaign, running from May 18 – May 31. The campaign focuses on increasing seat belt use through education and high-visibility enforcement.
Event speakers will include:
- Wood County Safe Communities representatives
- Ohio Department of Transportation
- UToledo Health trauma surgeon
- Trauma injury prevention coordinator (RN)
- Emergency/trauma nurse practitioner
- Local law enforcement – Wood County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol
Motor vehicle crashes remain a leading cause of serious injury and death. According to national data:
- Nearly half of people killed in motor vehicle crashes were not wearing a seat belt
- Wearing a seat belt reduces the risk of death by about 45% for front-seat passengers
- Seat belts also reduce the risk of serious injury by about 50%
In Ohio, hundreds of fatal crashes each year involve individuals who were unrestrained at the time of the crash, a trend that continues to impact counties like Wood County.
“As a Level II Trauma Center verified by the American College of Surgeons, we care for crash victims every day, and too often, the difference between life and death is a seat belt,” said Angela Castillo, trauma injury prevention RN at UToledo Health.
Trauma providers will share real-world insight into the devastating injuries seen when seat belts are not used, reinforcing the critical role restraint use plays in preventing severe injury and death.
Everyone is encouraged to “buckle up – every seat, every time.”
