Mike DeWine, Governor of Ohio, emphasized the importance of basic safety habits such as wearing seatbelts and avoiding phone use while driving. These practices, he said on X, significantly enhance drivers’ chances of avoiding or surviving crashes. This message aligns with the state’s promotion of Buckle Up Phone Down Day.
“Drivers can protect themselves and those nearby by simply wearing a seatbelt and putting away their phones,” said DeWine. “These small actions make a big difference because they vastly increase the odds of surviving a crash or preventing one in the first place.”
Ohio’s involvement in Buckle Up Phone Down Day 2025, which includes participation from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and other state Departments of Transportation (DOTs), highlights its focus on addressing seat belt usage and phone distraction in fatal crashes. According to Spectrum News, the campaign targets two prevalent factors contributing to deadly accidents by urging drivers to “buckle up” and “put away their phones.”
According to a 2024 report titled “Observational Survey of Seat Belt Use in Ohio,” prepared for the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio’s statewide seat belt compliance rate was recorded at 85.2%, falling below the national average of 91.2%. Additionally, ODOT reported that 64% of individuals killed in Ohio traffic crashes last year were not wearing a seatbelt when one was available.
Nationally, data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration showed 3,275 fatalities in crashes involving distracted driving in 2023. Federal seat belt data indicate that using a seatbelt reduces the risk of fatal injury by about 45% and moderate-to-critical injury by approximately 50%. This evidence supports Ohio’s dual focus on restraints and device distraction through the Buckle Up Phone Down campaign.
Governor DeWine has prioritized traffic safety initiatives since taking office in 2019 after serving as U.S. Senator and Ohio Attorney General. His administration has enacted measures such as a 2023 law making handheld phone use while driving a primary offense and advocated for stronger seat belt enforcement under the “buckle up, phone down” messaging.
The Ohio Department of Transportation coordinates roadway infrastructure and safety efforts while the Ohio Department of Public Safety oversees enforcement and crash-data programs. Together they partner on campaigns like Buckle Up Phone Down Day and enforce laws such as the hands-free driving statute, with ODOT managing public outreach and ODPS compiling crash analytics.
