5 Minutes for Life – a component of Ohio’s Start Talking Initiative – is an educational campaign led by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio National Guard and local law enforcement. Troopers, law enforcement officers and National Guard members speak with students about responsible decision-making and encouraging those in their peer group to live a drug-free lifestyle. To schedule a presentation, email us or call 614-752-2792.
For more information on the Start Talking Initiative and the 5 Minutes for Life program click here.
I-8000 ANNUAL PROFICIENCY TESTING UPDATE
The end of the calendar year is rapidly approaching and with two months left, the holidays and other commitments in sight, there are still under 40 percent of the access card holders who have not done their annual proficiency test.
Like you, the holidays and year-end commitments also affect our work flow. While we strive to get all the subject tests and proficiency tests evaluated, as well as those individuals notified if they did not successfully complete a test - time is working against us.
With the new firmware, testing on the Intoxilyzer 8000 is easier than in the last few years. The guidelines for proficiency testing are posted on our website, so take advantage of testing early.
If you’re having a problem determining which guidelines to use, please contact our office at (614) 644-4609.
To download the above Winter Driving piece, click here.
To download additional Traffic Safety Materials, click here.
Boycott Blackout Wednesday - November 27, 2019
Excessive drinking intoxication is prevalent over Thanksgiving due in part to cultural phenomenons like “Blackout Wednesday” that highlight and even encourage the heavy consumption of alcohol throughout this holiday weekend. Drunk-driving-related crashes spike during the Thanksgiving holiday season.
According to NHTSA, from 2013 to 2017, more than 800 people died in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes during the Thanksgiving holiday period, making it one of the deadliest holidays on our roadways.
Our goal is to assist law enforcement and to educate the public on the dangers and consequences of impaired driving.
To view Boycott Blackout Wednesday campaign materials, click here.
Thanksgiving Weekend
Buckle Up - Every Trip. Every Time.
November 28, 2019
Thanksgiving weekend, millions will hit the roads, eager to spend time with family and friends. It’s one of the busiest travel times of the year, and unfortunately more people on the roadways means the potential for more vehicle crashes.
During the 2016 Thanksgiving weekend (6 p.m. Wednesday, November 23, to 5:59 a.m. Monday, November 28), 341 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes nationwide. Tragically, 49 percent of those killed were not buckled up, representing an increase in seat belt use compared to the same weekend in 2015, when 52 percent of those killed in traffic crashes were unrestrained.
Nighttime proved even more deadly, with 55 percent of Thanksgiving weekend crashes occurring at night. Much like drunk driving, these deaths represent needless tragedies for families across America. These deaths could have been completely prevented with the simple click of a seat belt. Research shows that wearing a seat belt is one of the simplest things you can do to stay safe when you’re traveling in a vehicle, especially during busy travel periods like Thanksgiving.
Use these social norming marketing tools, which can be distributed to fit your local needs and objectives. These materials can help partner your office with other States, communities, and organizations on this seat belt safety initiative.
For Thanksgiving Weekend seat belt enforcement (CIOT) campaign material, click here.
For Thanksgiving Weekend campaign material, click here.
Ditch Danksgiving
November 28 - December 1, 2019
Each year, the Thanksgiving holiday results in millions of Americans on the road, traveling to and from their holiday destination. With your help, NHTSA wants to ensure drivers and their passengers are safe during this special time of year. We hope your state or local organization joins us in spreading the word about the dangers of impaired driving, as well as acknowledge the extra drug and alcohol consumption that often occurs during the Thanksgiving holiday.
From the Thanksgiving holiday has sprung two recent trends: “Blackout Wednesday” and “Danksgiving.” These trends highlight - and even encourage - the heavy consumption of alcohol and marijuana throughout the long holiday weekend. We need to remind vehicle drivers that impaired driving of any kind - whether drugged or drunk - is dangerous and illegal in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. Whether the drug is legally prescribed or illegal, drug-impaired driving poses a threat to the driver, vehicle passengers, and other road users.
To view the Ditch Danksgiving campaign material, click here.
NEW COACH RYAN DAY - OSU FOOTBALL - STAY IN THE GAME - BUCKLE UP POSTER NOW AVAILABLE.
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.
To view the flyer with speaker and registration information, click here.
BUTLER TECH STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN PROJECT IGNITION
Butler Tech and Butler County Safe Communities are partnering to participate in Project Ignition, the National Youth Leadership Council’s (NYLC) peer-led teen driver safety program that utilizes service-learning to change driving behaviors and save lives on the road.
Through a grant funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, two Butler Tech students, Maddy Bowman from New Miami and Jace Griffin from Talawanda, will attend the NYLC’s Project Ignition three-day, in-person, national training in Minneapolis. The training will kick-off a full year of teen driver safety education. Butler Tech is one of only 2 schools in Ohio and only 20 nation-wide, chosen to participate in Project Ignition.
To kick-off participation in Project Ignition, Butler Tech held an event on Tuesday, October 22, at the Fairfield Township Campus in the D. Russel Lee Media Center as part of National Teen Driver Safety Week.
Multiple activities and educational opportunities throughout the week and remainder of the school year for Butler Tech students will occur to teach the importance of driving safely.
Researchers at Ohio State University are collecting information about Ohio drivers ages 15 ½ - 24 and their use of media and driving opinions and behaviors. These results will be compiled in a report for the Ohio Department of Public Safety who will share the results with Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and our state legislators. The responses will help us tailor future public safety campaigns and learn more about how people form risk perceptions and attitudes.
We need responses from every county to make our campaigns as effective as possible for every county. We believe that Safe Communities will be a key partner in our data collection efforts.
To have your county participate in this research, please contact the director of the study, Dr. Brittany Shoots-Reinhard (shoots-reinhard.1@osu.edu). She will work with you to tailor materials and campaigns that will work for you and your community.
The "Save Face" poster is available from our office until the end of December, at which time we'll be retiring it. This poster comes in two sizes, either a 12 inch by 18 inch or an 18 inch by 24 inch. They can be ordered using the Material Order form by clicking here. There are plenty of these posters left, so please order any amount you would like and can use.
All other traffic safety materials available from the OTSO can be ordered by using the same form.
