Local family pushes for seat-belt bill
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
The family of an 11-year-old girl killed in a Columbiana County car accident last year continues to urge state lawmakers to pass legislation that would allow officers to stop vehicles with youngsters who aren’t secured in seat belts or car seats.
Theresa Benzel plans to travel to the Statehouse again to voice her support for SB 44, legislation that’s identical to law changes proposed last year that didn’t move through the Ohio House or Senate.
She’s doing it for her daughter, Addisyn Benzel, who was riding in the cargo area of an overcrowded SUV when tragedy struck.
“She was the girl who helped out kids who were less fortunate than her,” Benzel said. “[Supporting SB 44] is a way of helping out other kids and their families. Maybe through this law, another family doesn’t have to live through the tragedy that we do.”
The legislation is slated for a second hearing today before the Senate’s Criminal Justice Committee. Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, the primary sponsor, offered initial testimony on the bill last month.
SB 44 would make it a primary offense to allow children younger than 15 to travel in motor vehicles without using seat belts, car seats or booster seats.
Children already are required under state law to be properly secured in vehicles, but the infraction is considered a secondary offense, meaning officers cannot issue citations absent other traffic violations.
Addisyn and two other passengers were killed in a car accident last year. They were among nine people riding in a vehicle with seat belts for five. Addisyn was riding in the SUV’s cargo area.
Her mom said Tuesday that people are surprised to learn that allowing children to ride in vehicles without using seat belts or required restraints isn’t already a primary offense.
She said she’ll continue to push for law changes to give law enforcement the ability to stop vehicles with unsecured children — hopefully preventing serious injuries or deaths that could occur as a result of accidents in the process.
“If it’s one family that we can prevent this from happening to, that’s what we’re going to fight for,” she said.