During the last five years, the Ohio Highway Patrol troopers have issued 555,573 safety belt citations.

Through the end of May, state troopers will be increasing visibility to crack down on those that are not wearing their seatbelts.

“Properly wearing a safety belt increases a person’s chance of surviving a crash,” said Colonel Richard Fambro. “It’s a simple step and one that is proven to save lives.”

According to Ohio law, every driver and front seat passenger must wear a seatbelt and every child under eight years old must ride in a booster or infant seat.

Every child 8 to 15 years old must be fastened in the vehicle’s safety belt.