The Ohio Highway Patrol is teaming up with the Ohio Turnpike to make sure motorists make it to the table this Thanksgiving.
Because the Thanksgiving holiday is one of the busiest, more drivers will be on the roads than usual, increasing the likelihood of a motor vehicle crash, explained Staff Lieutenant William Haymaker, turnpike liaison. “That’s why it is more important than ever to stress the importance of seat belt safety with this essential reminder: Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time,” he said.
During the Thanksgiving holiday weekend in 2019, there were 279 passenger vehicle occupants killed in traffic crashes across the nation. More than half–54 percent–were unrestrained.
Nighttime proved even more deadly, with 52 percent of Thanksgiving weekend crashes occurring at night. These deaths represent needless tragedies for families across America and may have been prevented with the simple click of a seat belt.
“We want everyone to have a safe and happy Thanksgiving, so please, make sure everyone in your vehicle is buckled up–and that includes children being in the correct car seats, too,” the lieutenant said.
