The "Saved by the Belt" Club gained a Youngstown resident today after his safety belt saved him from life-threatening injuries during a crash on I-680 in March.

Dominic Bloom received a "Saved by the Belt" certificate from Ohio State Highway Patrol Trooper Daniel Deluca that was signed by the Ohio Department of Public Safety Director Thomas Stickrath and Colonel Richard Fambro, the patrol superintendent.

"Dominic is a living testimony to the effectiveness of safety belts," Lieutenant Bradley Bucey, Canfield post commander said. "Everyone needs to buckle up every trip, every time."

This certificate presentation aligns with the 6-State Trooper Project beginning tomorrow focusing on safety belt enforcement.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol's safety belt dashboard, 574 unbelted people died in car crashes in 2021, and 2022 has seen 176 unbelted deaths so far.

The club is a collaboration between the Ohio Department of Public Safety and more than 400 Ohio law enforcement agencies. It recognizes those who have benefitted from their choice to buckle up.