TrafficWise - September 3, 2019

Ohio State Highway Patrol sent this bulletin at 09/03/2019 02:09 PM EDT

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September 3, 2019

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

FATAL COMPARISON MAP can be found here.

Ohio's Seat Belt rate for 2018 was 84.92 percent.

Remember it's not just a number, it's lives being saved.

SEPTEMBER 8 - 14, 2019

National Truck Driver Appreciation Week is when America takes the time to honor all professional truck drivers for their hard work and commitment in tackling one of our economy's most demanding and important jobs. These 3.5 million professional men and women not only deliver our goods safely, securely and on time, they also keep our highways safe. - American Trucking Association

Being at the crossroads of our nation, within 600 miles of Ohio is:

57.4 percent of U.S. population
60.3 percent of manufacturing establishments
55.2 percent of wholesale establishments
60.1 percent retail establishments
59 percent of combined establishments
59 percent of Canadian population

Source: Ohio Development Services Agency - June 2019

Just in Columbus alone, at the crossroads of interstate highways Interstate 70 and Interstate 71, connecting to the Interstate grid. The area has more than 140 trucking companies, 30 offering nationwide service. More than 15,000 truck movements originate or terminate daily in Greater Columbus.

Source: Columbus Economic Development

As Ohio recognizes the important role that Truck Drivers play to our nation's prosperity and safety, OTSO joins the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration in sharing information about the "Our Roads - Our Safety" campaign.

Road safety is everyone’s responsibility - passenger vehicle drivers, truck drivers, bus drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians. That’s why the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) developed Our Roads, Our Safety, a national safety campaign shaped to raise awareness about sharing the road safely with large trucks and buses.

Nearly every possession we own and almost all the food we eat are brought to our local store or warehouse by truck. Perhaps you have ridden on a bus between cities or as part of a group to a national park or other attraction. Twelve million large trucks and buses (also known as commercial motor vehicles or CMVs) are registered to operate on America's roadways and play a critical role in helping move our nation's economy and transporting our loved ones.

To view "Our Roads, Our Safety" campaign materials click here.

To view "Tips for Passenger Vehicle Drivers" click here.

FOLLOWING TOO CLOSE - ASSURED CLEAR DISTANCE

In 2018, Ohio recorded 55,352 convictions for assured clear distance violations (speed limits - assured clear distance). During the same period Ohio recorded 4,195 convictions for following too close (space between moving vehicles).

Crashes are not accidents. NHTSA data shows that of the 5.7 million crashes nationwide in 2013, one-third (32 percent or 1.8 million ) were rear-end crashes, where stopping distance mattered. More people (503,000) were injured in rear-end crashes than any other crash.

As of August 16, 2019, the crashes below have been contributed to a circumstance of following too closely/assured clear distance.

For reference, sections 4511.21 and 4511.34 of the Ohio Revised Code have been added below.

4511.21 [Effective 7/3/2019] Speed limits - assured clear distance.

(A) No person shall operate a motor vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar at a speed greater or less than is reasonable or proper, having due regard to the traffic, surface, and width of the street or highway and any other conditions, and no person shall drive any motor vehicle, trackless trolley, or streetcar in and upon any street or highway at a greater speed than will permit the person to bring it to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead.

4511.34 Space between moving vehicles.

(A) The operator of a motor vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley shall not follow another vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having due regard for the speed of such vehicle, streetcar, or trackless trolley, and the traffic upon and the condition of the highway.

The driver of any truck, or motor vehicle drawing another vehicle, when traveling upon a roadway outside a business or residence district shall maintain a sufficient space, whenever conditions permit, between such vehicle and another vehicle ahead so an overtaking motor vehicle may enter and occupy such space without danger. This paragraph does not prevent overtaking and passing nor does it apply to any lane specially designated for use by trucks.

2019 DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER

AUGUST 16 – SEPTEMBER 2, 2019

A thank you from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office to all of our partners in participating in the 2019 "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" national mobilization. Our community partners (Safe Communities) with their many kick-off events and our law enforcement partners who 24/7 throughout the mobilization period stepped up to keep Ohio's roadways safe by focusing on impaired driving and helped make it a reality in Ohio by embracing the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" message. Enforcement and increasing public awareness to combat impaired driving in Ohio made a difference.

For our law enforcement partners, please fill out and return the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" mobilization reporting form no later than September 16. Your response will allow Ohio to accurately report our mobilization efforts to NHTSA, To get a copy of the reporting form, click here.

September 15-21, 2019 (Child Passenger Safety Week)

September 21, 2019 - (National Seat Check Saturday)

Every 32 seconds in 2017, one child under the age of 13 in a passenger vehicle was involved in a crash. Many times, injuries and deaths can be prevented by proper use of car seats, boosters, and seat belts.

NHTSA and the Ad Council launched a new series of public service ads (PSAs) that urge parents and caregivers to protect their child’s future at every stage of life, by making sure they secure them in the correct car seat for their age, height, and weight.

To view the campaign materials click here.

NATIONAL TEEN DRIVER SAFETY WEEK

October 20 – 26, 2019

This week and every week, parents should have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a passenger car, truck, or SUV. These rules address the greatest dangers for teen drivers: alcohol, inconsistent or no seat belt use, distracted and drowsy driving, speeding, and number of passengers.

The problem: Too many teens are dying on our roads

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15 to 18 years old) in the United States - ahead of all other types of injury, disease, or violence.
There were 1,972 teen drivers of passenger vehicles involved in fatal motor vehicle traffic crashes in 2015. An estimated 99,000 teen passenger vehicle drivers were injured in motor vehicle traffic crashes.

Additional resources available include materials for:

Distracted driving
Teens and seat belt use
Underage drinking prevention
Seat belt safety = tweens (ages 8 - 14)
Rules of the road

To view campaign materials click here.

WHEN: October 23, 2019 (8:45 a.m.- 6 p.m.)

WHERE: Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy, 740 E. 17^th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43211

WHO: Municipal and county prosecutors and law enforcement

HOW: This course is being hosted by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office/ Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor/ Ohio Drug Evaluation and Classification program, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Funding is provided in part or solely by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

REGISTRATION: Email Robert Wakefield at rwake@dps.ohio.gov by October 3, 2019. PLEASE DO NOT DELAY…. WE ANTICIPATE A GOOD RESPONSE. SPACE IS LIMITED TO 50. This course has been approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 8.00 total CLE hours, with 1.50 of attorney professional conduct instruction. It is free for prosecutors and law enforcement. Please contact Holly Reese, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor at hreesetsrp@ gmail.com or (330) 904-8971 with any questions.

For complete course description and agenda, click here.

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 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.

DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER - KICKOFFS

Submitted by Tante Lovins - Henry County Safe Communities Coordinator

Henry County Safe Communities held their DSOGPO kick-off event on August 14 at the Henry County Fair Grounds. The event took place in front of the sheriff's building at the fair as the crowd gathered around a crashed car meant to draw visual awareness to the campaign. Two guest speakers, Chief Clayton O’Brien from Napoleon Fire and Rescue and Teresa Bilow, survivor of a drunk driving crash addressed the nearly 60 people in attendance. Representatives from fire and rescue, law enforcement, county commissioners, prosecutor, media, coalition members, family of crash victim and fair goers were present for the event. Coalition coordinator, Tante Lovins began the event with a brief welcome and recognition of coalition members and each of the fire and rescue crews who were in attendance. Chief O’Brien followed with a message from the perspective of fire and rescue in the case of a drunk driving crash. Following Chief O’Brien, Bilow began her portion of the program by passing around a picture of her 8-year-old daughter who was killed in a drunk driving crash. Through her story she encouraged listeners to spread the word, not to drink and drive, even if it is just a couple of drinks.

OCCUPANT PROTECTION REGIONAL COORDINATORS - PARTNERS IN PROTECTING OUR FUTURE

Submitted by: Logan Valentine - OPRC Coordinator - Region 7

The OPRC Region 7 includes 14 counties in eastern and southern Ohio, from Stark to Washington. Technicians and instructors in the region have been busy with different events this summer. We have been to the county fairs in Holmes and Monroe counties distributing car seats and educating individuals in the county about height/weight limits of the different car seats. We helped guide individuals on how to properly install their car seats. Many of our counties have also participated in various outreach events, educational classes, and local car seat check up events. Region 7 was also involved in the 2019 Guard Care event in Tuscarawas County. We were able to contribute to the variety of different free services they provided at this massive event. We had a table of educational materials and provided car seat checks to people that stopped by - and provided car seats to eligible families. Each county continues with their monthly distribution programs - ensuring the children are riding safely!

The attached picture is from the Guard Care event on August 10th, 2019

To find out more about Ohio's partners supporting child passenger safety, click here.

TRAFFIC SAFETY MATERIALS

REMEMBER the 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.