by Wayne Ohio | Nov 24, 2020 | Blog
COLUMBUS, OH, Nov. 24, 2020 – While this Thanksgiving may look different, the Ohio State Highway Patrol expects many motorists to travel on Ohio’s roadways for the upcoming holiday. Before motorists hit the road, troopers want to make sure they are taking the proper safety measures by driving sober and wearing their safety belts.
Troopers will be highly visible and cracking down on impaired driving and those failing to wear a safety belt from Wednesday, November 25 at midnight through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 29.
“We take impaired driving seriously and remain dedicated to promoting safety on Ohio’s roadways,” added Colonel Richard S. Fambro, Patrol superintendent. “We need motorists to commit to keeping our roads safe by planning ahead, designating a sober driver, and insisting that everyone in the vehicle is buckled up.”
Many Thanksgiving celebrations involve alcohol, which increases the possibility of impaired driving. During last year’s Thanksgiving reporting period, November 27 through December 1, there were 15 fatal crashes in which 18 people were killed. Of those 18 killed, eight were not wearing available safety belts and seven of the crashes involved alcohol and/or drugs. The Patrol also made 391 arrests for impaired driving.
Motorists are encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity, or stranded motorists.
Posted by By Dan Starcher, public communications specialist for the Wayne County government.
by Wayne Ohio | Nov 2, 2020 | Blog
COLUMBUS, OH, Nov. 2, 2020 — Throughout the month of November, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is conducting an online survey to identify traffic safety concerns and obtain feedback about interactions with the agency.
The 2020 Public Survey is anonymous and takes approximately five minutes to complete. The survey is designed to be used as a platform for organizational learning, asking specific questions related to traffic safety issues and previous interactions with OSHP employees. The survey is created in accordance with standards of the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA).
OSHP is committed to providing professional law enforcement services focused on deterring crime and promoting traffic safety to improve the quality of life for the citizens and visitors of Ohio. Please consider taking the survey to help us better serve you.
To take the survey please visit: https://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov, the direct link to the survey is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2020SurveyOSHP.
Posted by By Dan Starcher, public communications specialist for the Wayne County government.
by Wayne Ohio | Sep 28, 2020 | Blog
COLUMBUS, OH, Sep. 2020 – The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding drivers to keep their eyes and their focus on the roadway while driving.
Since 2015, there have been 75,411 crashes in Ohio which involved one or more drivers who were distracted by something inside their vehicle. Of these, 227 were fatal crashes which resulted in 248 deaths. Male drivers were involved in 55 percent of these crashes, while females were involved 44 percent of the time. In fatal crashes, males made up 63 percent of distracted drivers. Nearly 34 percent of distracted drivers were between the ages of 16 and 24 years old.
“Distracted driving must become as culturally unacceptable as drunk driving is today. They’re equally preventable and equally dangerous,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Protect yourself, your family, and others on the road by eliminating all distractions while you drive.”
On October 29, 2018, Ohio passed House Bill 95, a law that broadened what is considered distracted driving and increased the fine if it was a contributing factor to the commission of the driving violation. The Hands-Free Ohio bill, which is pending in the Ohio General Assembly, would make driving while handling any electronic device a primary offense in most circumstances.
“When you take your eyes off the road – even for just a few seconds – you are putting your life and the lives of others in danger,” said Colonel Richard S. Fambro, Patrol superintendent. “Driving distracted is unsafe, irresponsible and its consequences can be devastating for families.”
Distracted driving is any non-driving activity with the potential to distract a person from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing. Distractions can be visual, taking eyes off of the road; manual, taking hands off the wheel; or cognitive, taking the mind off driving. Texting while driving is an example that combines all three types of distraction. Sending or receiving a text message takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field when traveling at 55 mph.
As a reminder, Ohio law bans all electronic wireless communication device usage for drivers under 18. Texting while driving is illegal for all drivers and is a secondary offense for adults 18 and above.
For more information, a traffic safety bulletin can be found at https://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/links/Distracted_Driving_Bulletin_2020.pdf. For distracted driving, video footage click HERE.
Posted by Dan Starcher, public communications specialist for the Wayne County government.
by Wayne Ohio | Sep 8, 2020 | Blog
*CORRECTION* COLUMBUS, OH, Sep. 2020 — This updates an earlier report of 10 fatal traffic crashes which claimed 10 lives over the Labor Day Holiday and adds links to a complete breakdown of OSHP Labor Day enforcement activity. The agency reports eight fatal traffic crashes claimed 10 lives.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting eight fatal traffic crashes which claimed 10 lives over the Labor Day Holiday according to provisional data. Troopers arrested 538 drivers for OVI and issued 3,289 safety belt citations. Troopers also made 477 drug arrests and 170 felony apprehensions. A total of 26,035 traffic enforcement stops were conducted along with 14,533 non-enforcement stops. Troopers also provided assistance to 2,944 motorists. The Labor Day reporting period began Friday, September 4 at 12 a.m. and ended Monday, September 7 at 11:59 p.m.
A complete breakdown of the Patrol’s Labor Day enforcement can be found here: PAGE 1, PAGE 2
Posted by Dan Starcher, public communications specialist for the Wayne County government.
by Wayne Ohio | Sep 3, 2020 | Blog
COLUMBUS, OH, Sep. 2020 — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging drivers to be safe this Labor Day weekend. Troopers will focus enforcement efforts on removing impaired drivers from Ohio’s roadways. Motorists can do their part in keeping the roadways safe by following all traffic laws, never driving impaired, and always designating a sober driver.
“I encourage all Ohioans to make responsible decisions,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “By making good decisions, you help make our roads safer.”
During the 2019 Labor Day holiday weekend, there were 12 fatal crashes that killed 12 people. Seven of those fatalities involved alcohol and/or drugs. Five of those fatalities were unbelted. OSHP also made 665 OVI arrests during last year’s holiday weekend.
“Removing impaired drivers from our roadways is a primary focus for us,” said Colonel Richard S. Fambro, Patrol superintendent. “If you plan to drink, help make everyone’s holiday weekend safe by designating a sober ride home.”
The 2020 Labor Day weekend reporting period begins Friday, September 4 at 12 a.m. and ends Monday, September 7 at 11:59 p.m.
Motorists are encouraged to dial #677 to report impaired drivers and drug activity to the Patrol.
Posted by Dan Starcher, public communications specialist for the Wayne County government.
