COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Highway Patrol and other law enforcement agencies are encouraging seat belt use in a campaign that starts this holiday weekend and continues through Labor Day.

        They'll be using traffic tickets to get the message across.

        While making routine traffic stops this weekend, officers plan to write more tickets for drivers not using seat belts and child restraints, state officials said.

        This week, Ohio received a D-plus rating for seat belt safety from the National Safety Council. The council used criteria such as state laws, seat belt use, fatalities and law enforcement.

        Although fines for not wearing a seat belt differ throughout the state, drivers ticketed for the violation will pay at least $30, and passengers $20. The maximum fine is $100.

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