COLUMBUS — Ohio drivers could soon face fines as high as $100 if their back-seat passengers don't buckle up.

        Lawmakers are considering legislation they say would save lives by strengthening the state's current seat belt law, which in most cases only covers drivers and passengers in the front seat of a vehicle.

        “If the bill passes, there will be more Ohioans alive next year than if it doesn't,” said Rep. Rex Damschroder, R-Fremont, who sponsored the bill.

        Each year, about 500 back-seat passengers are killed in traffic accidents, and most are not buckled in, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Officers say fines are needed to encourage more seat belt use.

        Even if drivers wear a seat belt, they could be fined $100 if any passengers in the vehicle are not buckled in. Drivers could be fined $100 only once per traffic stop and not for each passenger who isn't buckled up.

        Under current law, drivers can be ticketed and fined $30 but cannot be fined for other passengers not wearing a seat belt. Passengers in the front seat can be fined $20.

        Some members of the House Transportation and Public Safety Committee and groups which have testified on the bill have voiced opposition to the increase.

        The American Automobile Association asked the committee to reduce the fine to $50, in line with most fines for first-offender traffic violations.

        Members of the Ohio State Highway Patrol testified in favor of the bill.

        The belief that passengers not wearing a seat belt will be thrown clear in an accident is not true, said Staff Lt. John Born, a spokesman for the Highway Patrol.

        “Witnessing tragedy day in and day out will make any person a highway safety advocate and also a spokesman for seat belt use,” Lt. Born said.

        Mark Davidson, a lobbyist for Nationwide Insurance, testified that his life had been saved by a seat belt.

        He said he was left unconscious for three days when a train struck his car at a crossing near Cincinnati. If he had not been wearing a seat belt, the wreck would have been fatal, he said.

        Not wearing a seat belt would remain a secondary violation under the new law, and police would not be able to stop and ticket drivers for a seat belt violation alone.

        Similar seat belt laws have been passed by 14 other states, including Kentucky, California and Massachusetts.

        The committee expects a vote on the bill next week, and if passed, it will be considered by the full House.

        Overall, the bill has strong support, Mr. Damschoder said.

        “It will save lives and won't cost a cent,” he said.

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