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July 1, 2019

FATAL CRASHES 2019 YEAR TO DATE MAP can be found here.

FATAL COMPARISON MAP can be found here.

⟩ All drivers, or a predetermined proportion of them, are stopped based on rules that prevent police from arbitrarily selecting drivers to stop.

⟩ Checkpoints are a very visible enforcement method intended to deter potential offenders as well as to catch violators.  If checkpoints are set up frequently over long enough periods and are well publicized, they can establish a convincing threat in people's minds that impaired drivers will be apprehended -- a key to general deterrence.

⟩ The purpose of frequent checkpoints is to increase public awareness and deter potential offenders, resulting in the ideal situation in which there are very few offenders left to apprehend.

FINAL THOUGHTS

1. Over two million miles are driven by impaired motorists every day, and their poor choices severely threaten the well-being of every citizen in this state.

2.  In 2018, Ohio Law Enforcement helped convict 34,440 drivers of OVI.

3. Of these drivers convicted of OVI, 14,788 had a previous OVI. 

4. Fatalities caused by impaired drivers are a potential tragedy to each of us.

5. Criminals who choose to drive impaired, and put innocent people in danger, need to know Ohio Law Enforcement is committed to improving the quality of life of Ohio families, and protecting those who are safely using our public roadways.

THE OHIO TRAFFIC SAFETY OFFICE WELCOMES A NEW TRAFFIC SAFETY RESOURCE PROSECUTOR AND LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISON

Sierra Williams - Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Sierra Williams joined the Ohio Traffic Safety Office in February as a Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP). Sierra works with Holly Reese as one of Ohio’s Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutors and is based out of Cincinnati. Her role as a TSRP includes conducting legal research, offering technical support where needed, and providing training and education to prosecutors and law enforcement throughout Ohio. She provides support to both prosecutors and law enforcement in the areas of alcohol-impaired and drug-impaired driving, distracted driving, CDL enforcement, crash reconstruction, traffic stops, and any other traffic-related subject. Some of the trainings include Prosecuting a Drugged Driver, Cops in Court, and Prosecutor and Toxicologist Guide to Effective Communication in Impaired Driving Cases.   Prior to joining OTSO, she was a Senior Assistant Prosecutor for the City of Cincinnati. During her five years as a prosecutor, she was responsible for prosecuting a broad range of misdemeanor criminal matters including numerous OVIs, vehicular homicides, vehicular manslaughters, and other traffic offenses. She also served as a prosecutor for Hamilton County’s CHANGE Court, which is a specialized court serving the needs of those charged with prostitution and related offenses and victims of sex trafficking. Sierra earned her Juris Doctor from the Salmon P. Chase College of Law of Northern Kentucky University in 2013 and her Bachelor of Science in Journalism from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University in 2009. During law school, Sierra was a summer associate at Dressman Benzinger LaVelle, completed externships at the Clermont County Prosecutor’s Office and Kenton County Attorney’s Office, served as a law clerk for the Honorable Richard A. Woeste in Campbell County Family Court, and competed on the NKU Chase College of Law National Trial Competition Team.

Jeff Anspach - Law Enforcement Liaison - Northwest Ohio. My name Jeff Anspach, I am a graduate of Ada High school. I currently live in Logan County. I worked for the Logan County Sheriff’s office for 32 years and retired at the end of February and now work for the Ohio Traffic  Safety Office as the Northwest Ohio Law Enforcement Liaison.  I look forward to meeting with you and to continue providing support to your agencies as we tackle traffic safety together. You can contact me at janspach@co.logan.oh.us or by phone at (937) 441-6239.

CHANGES TO THE TRAFFIC SAFETY MATERIALS FORM

With the 4th of July mobilization and shortly the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" National Mobilization, both focusing on impaired Driving, materials are available free to your agency or coalition to assist in increasing public awareness on this and other issues. In our updated Traffic Safety Materials form, you'll find that we have added a "Drunk Driving, Over the Limit Under Arrest" banner.  These banners are 3'x6' and are available now. To view the new Traffic Safety Materials form click here.

A special thanks to The Ohio State University and Coach Urban Meyer for their support of increasing public awareness with seat belt usage here in Ohio and for allowing the Ohio Traffic Safety Office to partner with them in creating the "Stay in the Game.... Buckle Up!" poster.  This poster was well received by our partners and was distributed throughout Ohio. We wish Coach Meyer all the best and again, thank you. With Coach Meyer moving on and Coach Ryan Day taking over the reins, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office is working with The Ohio State University and Coach Day on a new Traffic Safety Poster.  This poster should be released around early August and will be announced in the TrafficWise when available.

4TH OF JULY - DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER

Enforcement Campaign Materials

Americans love to celebrate the 4th of July with family, friends, food, and fireworks. But all too often the festivities turn tragic on the nation's roads. This iconic American holiday is also one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to drunk-driving crashes.

Over the 4th of July holiday period in 2017 (6 p.m. June 30 to 5:59 a.m. July 5):

• 601 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. 39% (237) of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired crashes. This is a 23% increase from 2016, during which 192 people were killed during the same holiday period.
• 60% of those who died in alcohol-impaired crashes were in a crash involving at least one driver or motorcyclist with a BAC of .15 or higher.

These enforcement marketing tools can be used to fit your needs and objectives while, at the same time, partnering with other states, communities, and organizations on this drunk driving prevention initiative.

• For the 4th of July Enforcement Campaign materials and information, click here.

• For 4th of July "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving" (social norming) marketing materials, click here.

TRAFFIC SAFETY FACTS - ALCOHOL - IMPAIRED DRIVING

Key Findings

1. In 2017 there were 10,874 fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involving drivers with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher. This totaled 29 percent of all traffic fatalities for the year. (Note: It is illegal in every State to drive with a BAC of .08 g/dL or higher.)
2. An average of 1 alcohol-impaired-driving fatality occurred every 48 minutes in 2017.
3. The estimated economic cost of all alcohol-impaired crashes (involving alcohol-impaired drivers or alcohol-impaired nonoccupants) in the United States in 2010 (the most recent year for which cost data is available) was $44 billion.
4. Of the traffic fatalities in 2017 among children 14 and younger, 19 percent occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.
5. The 21- to 24-year-old age group had the highest percentage (27%) of drivers with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher in fatal crashes compared to other age groups in 2017.
6. The percentage of drivers with BACs of .08 g/dL or higher in fatal crashes in 2017 was highest for fatalities involving motorcycle riders (27%), compared to passenger cars (21%), light trucks (20%), and large trucks (3%).
7. The rate of alcohol impairment among drivers involved in fatal crashes in 2017 was 3.6 times higher at night than during the day.
8. In 2017 among the 10,874 alcohol-impaired-driving fatalities, 68 percent (7,368) were in crashes in which at least one driver had a BAC of .15 g/dL or higher.

To view the complete Traffic Safety Facts from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on Alcohol-Impaired Driving - November 2018 click here.

This summer, AAA and ODOT are scheduling events across Ohio to engage seniors in a discussion about safe driving.

This issue is important because Ohioans are aging, and as we age, it affects our ability to drive. Ohio has the 6^th largest population of older adults in the country – and their numbers will continue to grow each year. Last year, 23% of all traffic deaths involved a driver age 65 or older. 

Below are three ways you can get involved:

1. Presentations – AAA and ODOT can tailor older driver safety and information to the needs of your community forum or event.
2. CarFit Technician Training - AAA staff are holding CarFit Technician Training throughout the summer.   The training will teach you how to engage seniors in a discussion about driver safety while walking them through an evaluation that includes seat belt, steering wheel, seat and mirror positions. Becoming a CarFit Technician also gives you the ability to work with AAA in hosting CarFit events in your community.  The next training is scheduled for Monday, July 22, from 9am-1pm, at the St Clairsville Mall. To register for this training, contact Kimberly Schwind, AAA Ohio, 614-431-7896, kschwind@aaaohio.com
3. Host a CarFit event in your community

If you’d like to work with AAA and ODOT, please contact Caraline Griffith at ODOT (Caraline.Griffith@dot.ohio.gov, 614-644-8336). She will work with you and the AAA representatives in your region of the state to explore dates and options.   

TWO FREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Summit County Sheriff's Office Training Bureau

2825 Greensburg Road, North Canton, Ohio 44720

Wednesday, August 28, 2019, 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

or

Summit Park - North Tower Room

4335 Glendale-Milford Drive., Blue Ash, Ohio 45242

Friday, August 30, 2019, 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The goal of this course is to enable prosecutors and toxicologists to prepare together to effectively communicate and introduce toxicology evidence in impaired driving cases. The course includes an overview of the lifecycle of toxicology sample, describing lab testing procedures, different types of testing, and quality control and assurance; the roles of the prosecutor, toxicologist and law enforcement, the language of the profession, language pitfalls, and translating technical language into layman’s terms; discusses courtroom preparation documents, pretrial motions, questions to ask and what to expect, and proper courtroom procedures; and describes common defense tactics, methods of timing and appropriate objections, methods to anticipate defenses, use and misuse of publications, and identifying prior transcripts to impeach. This course has been approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 6.25 total CLE hours instruction. The course is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is free to participants.

REGISTRATION:   Email Robert Wakefield at rwake@dps.ohio.gov by August 5, 2019.

PLEASE DO NOT DELAY…. WE ANTICIPATE A GOOD RESPONSE TO BOTH SESSIONS. SPACE IS LIMITED TO 30 FOR EACH SESSION.

Please contact Holly Reese, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor at hreesetsrp@ gmail.com or (330)904-8971 with any questions.

PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

March 23 through June 5, 2020

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has partnered with The Ohio State University – John Glenn College of Public Affairs to offer innovative training, titled, the "Public Safety Leadership Academy," to qualified police executives at the Highway Patrol Training Academy on March 23, through June 5, 2020.

The course which will focus on:

• Developing leadership and management skills;
• Understanding leadership styles through self-assessments;
• Sharpening problem solving and planning skills;
• Improving communication skills, including verbal and non-verbal communication in one-on-one and group settings, formal presentations and written communication;
• Developing conceptual and research skills;
• Developing and improving the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and direct any division within a law enforcement agency.

The course curriculum will be divided into the following units, Leadership, Interpersonal, and Organizational Communication, Fundamentals of Public Management, Organizational Culture and Ethics, Human Resource Management, Budgeting, Organizational Behavior in Law Enforcement. In addition, students will be required to complete a capstone project that focuses on real-life cases.

During the course, the Patrol will host enrichment seminars. These executive level development seminars will provide students with additional education and training in law enforcement that are relevant in today’s society. Distinguished speakers from the government and private sector will present a variety of different subjects, including: leadership lessons learned while under adverse conditions, inspiration and courage, and stress management.

For additional instruction focusing on leadership, students will visit Washington D.C. during the month of May. There students will attend the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum law enforcement course and visit other important sites that have helped shape our Nation’s leaders.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive 10 semester hours of academic credit, along with a certificate in Senior Leadership through The Ohio State University – John Glenn School of Public Affairs. Grad credits may be offered, pending OSU graduate school approval.

Your agency is invited to nominate an executive officer to attend this course. The following materials; the course application form, and course nomination form, need to be submitted to Tanya Benner by January 3, 2020, at 

Your agency is invited to nominate an executive officer to attend this course. The following materials; the course application form, and course nomination form, need to be submitted to Tanya Benner by January 3, 2020, at tbenner@dps.ohio.gov. The forms can be found on the Patrol’s Training website at https://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/training-psla.aspx.

Please direct questions and/or concerns to Tanya Benner at 614 752 4152.

Drug Recognition Expert Program   The Drug Recognition Expert (DRE) Program is a traffic safety program that focuses on the detection, apprehension and adjudication of drug-impaired drivers. A DRE is a law enforcement officer highly trained to recognize impairment in drivers under the influence of drugs other than or in addition to alcohol.  For more information, upcoming training dates and how to apply for this free training, please view the DRE Application, School Information and upcoming classes by clicking here.

Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)   ARIDE Classes are being offered free of charge through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy   Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) provides officers with general knowledge related to drug impaired driving and to promote the use of Drug Recognition Experts (DRE). Law enforcement officers will learn to observe, identify and articulate the signs of impairment related to drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both, in order to reduce the number of impaired driving crashes.    For upcoming classes and how to register click here.

HENRY COUNTY - A PEER TO PEER SUCCESS STORY

Submitted by:  Tante Lovins - Henry County Safe Communities Coordinator Henry County Safe Communities began their Click it or Ticket kick-off event with a seatbelt check at a local high school on the morning of May 15.  Later in the day the coalition held an assembly at the high school with a set of local teens who were saved by the belt in a recent crash.  Napoleon Police, Chief Mack, introduced the guest speaker, Justin Rettig, who was recently involved in a crash with his twin brother. Both twins were wearing their seatbelts. Justin sustained injuries resulting in him being in a halo while his brother had minor injuries. Justin was incredibly excited to share his “saved by the belt” story with his fellow classmates.  The following morning the coalition conducted a follow up seatbelt check.  The first seatbelt check on the morning of the 15th – 81.6% of the student drivers were wearing their seatbelt.  The next morning, after hearing the Saved by the Belt story shared by their peers, the percent of student drivers wearing their seatbelt rose to 97.7%

NHTSA - PEER TO PEER TEEN TRAFFIC SAFETY GUIDE

Why a Guide?

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for U.S. teens (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015).  In 2016, drivers 16 to 20 years old involved in fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes had the highest involvement rate (36.76) per 100,000 licensed drivers, compared to all the other age groups (NHTSA, 2018).

This guide, released March 2019,  examines the importance and benefit of investing in peer-to-peer teen traffic safety programs as part of a broader strategic initiative. It identifies the essential elements of a peer-to-peer program determined through research and discussion with an expert panel and others working with teens or in the teen driving and/or traffic safety arenas, and outlines why each is important. A compendium of teen led traffic safety programs that incorporate all or many of the essential elements follows. These programs are benchmarks against which State Highway Safety Offices can assess their own programs or others they may be funding, or to help determine whether they have the capacity to build a program or invest in one that is already established. The document concludes with a list of resources that States and their partners may wish to consult for additional guidance in planning, implementing, and evaluating peer-to-peer teen traffic safety programs.

To view the NHTSA Peer-To-Peer Teen Traffic Safety Guide, click here.

TRAFFIC SAFETY MATERIALS

OTSO offers materials for numerous traffic safety campaigns, including impaired driving, restraint usage, distracted driving, and motorcycles. Utilizing the numerous materials found here can make an impact that will reach beyond your community. By raising public awareness YOU can help save lives.  The order form can be found by clicking here.

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