In a live press release on Thursday, November 21, 2019, Governor DeWine announced the launch of "Ohio-Ready, Test, Drive!" Crashes continue to be the number one killer of teens. Governor DeWine reported that in 2018 the total number of 136 young drivers, between the ages of 16-25 years, were killed in crashes and more than 17,000 were injured in crashes.
The Ohio Traffic Safety Office, in collaboration with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Diagnostics, Inc. will study teen driver's behaviors and skills in phases through the use of Virtual Driving Assessment systems (VDAs). The VDAs will be placed in driving schools throughout Ohio and in all BMV driver exam stations. Teen drivers will take a virtual assessment in one of 10 simulated driving environments: once before receiving in-car instruction and once after completing the in-car instruction. They will again take another assessment before the On-Road exam at the local BMV exam station. The data derived from the assessments will be tracked, analyzed and compared with traffic convictions and crashes of the drivers a few years after they are licensed.
The governor emphasized the importance of sharing the assessment data with the teen's parents or guardians. Through the results of the assessment, driving schools and parents or guardians can then focus their practice and skill in areas of need for that teen. Parental involvement beginning in the training phase through the licensing phase is a vital role in establishing the safe driving behaviors of their teen driver. The governor continues to focus efforts on the importance and criticality of a solid driver education program and parental role for Ohio's teen drivers. Governor DeWine promised to continue his efforts to ensuring safe driving behaviors for our teens while he is governor.
The virtual driving assessment systems are scheduled to be deployed to all driver exam stations by end of January 2020. Driving schools will begin receiving their VDAs within a few months after.
To view the ODPS Weekly Highlights which shows this event, click here.
The Ohio Traffic Safety Office, Driver Training Program, is rolling out the virtual driving assessment systems to any licensed driver training school volunteering to participate. To view the invitation to participate click here. All driver training schools interested can log into the Driver Education Training System (DETS) and find the application and additional details under the Bulletin Board. The application period closes out January 3, 2020.
Valerie A. Wald
State Administrator of Driver Education & Training
As Families Take to the Roadways, New Report Notes More Than 800 Unbuckled Rear Passengers Killed in 2018
Rear Belt Use Lower in For-Hire Vehicles
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Each year, hundreds of unbelted passengers in the back seat of motor vehicles are killed in crashes. New federal data reveal that, in 2018 alone, 803 unrestrained rear seat passengers age eight and up lost their lives; more than 400 of them may be alive today had they fastened their seat belts. Riders in taxis and ride-hailing vehicles buckle up in the back less often than in private vehicles. In one public survey, only 57 percent of respondents who traveled mostly in hired vehicles reported always buckling up.
Dr. James Hedlund of Highway Safety North, a former senior official with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), wrote the report. Uber provided funding for its production and design.
The report notes that, even though safety features in newer vehicles have made the front seat safer than the rear seat in a crash, observed rear belt use nationwide continues to lag significantly behind front seat belt use: 76 percent versus 90 percent, respectively. Even more concerning, 31 states still lack a primary rear belt use law for adult passengers. Rear belt use is higher in states that require it (69 percent) than in states that don’t (60 percent). But in the past four years, only Alabama and Mississippi have passed laws requiring adult rear seat passengers to buckle up, although in Alabama unbelted rear seat occupants may be ticketed only if police have another reason to stop the vehicle.
“As millions take to the road this holiday season on family car trips, and as use of ride hailing services continues to surge, more people find themselves in the back seat of passenger vehicles. That means it’s even more imperative that we work together to encourage all motor vehicle passengers to take their safety seriously, no matter the seating position,” said GHSA Executive Director Jonathan Adkins.
The report makes specific recommendations on how states and other stakeholders can and should save lives by increasing rear seat belt use by adults:
States should pass and enforce strong laws and publicize the benefits of belt use in all seating positions;
For-hire vehicle services should actively promote belt use to their passengers;
Vehicle manufacturers should install rear seat belt use reminders; and
NHTSA should develop programs and finalize federal rulemaking to require rear belt reminders.
As Dr. Hedlund notes, “Collectively, these actions would go a long way toward increasing rear seat belt use to be more on par with front seat belt use. While the steps are straightforward, they will require persistence and commitment.”
GHSA and Uber also are partnering on other rear belt use promotional efforts. Just last week, the groups launched National Seat Belt Day on November 14 to raise awareness of the history of the seat belt and its lifesaving effect. The organizations also are collaborating on a “Make it Click: Every seat. Every ride” national effort to encourage ride-share customers, and all back-seat vehicle passengers, to always buckle up.
For a list of current state seat belt laws, visit ghsa.org/beltlaws.
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.
Drunk Driving | Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving
Holiday Season
November 29 - December 10, 2019
The holidays are known for being merry and bright, but they’re also known for being the deadliest season when it comes to drunk driving. Every holiday season, lives are lost due to drunk drivers.
Use these social norming marketing tools, which can be distributed to fit your local needs and objectives. These materials will partner your office with other States, communities, and organizations on this drunk driving prevention initiative
For national enforcement [Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over] holiday campaign materials, please click here.
Drug-Impaired Driving | Holiday Season
Drive High Get a DUI
2019 Holiday Season National Enforcement Mobilization
Drug-impaired driving is a problem on America’s highways. Like drunk driving, drugged driving is impaired driving, which means it is dangerous and illegal in all 50 States, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. Whether the drug is legally prescribed or illegal, driving while drug-impaired poses a threat to the driver, vehicle passengers, and other road users.
Paid Media: December 11, 2019 - January 1, 2020
Mobilization: December 13, 2019 - January 1, 2020
NHTSA wants to spread the word about drug-impaired driving and to remind all drivers: if you are impaired by drugs and thinking about driving, pass your keys on to a sober driver
To view the Drive High Get a DUI campaign materials, click here.
Drunk Driving | Holiday Season
PEAK Enforcement Kit
2019 Holiday Season National Enforcement Mobilization
NHTSA will partner with law enforcement nationwide during the 2019 Holiday Season "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" high-visibility enforcement campaign from December 11, 2019 to January 1, 2020.
Paid Media: December 11, 2019 - January 1, 2020
Mobilization: December 13, 2019 - January 1, 2020
With the support of law enforcement nationwide, the message of sober driving will reach millions of drivers and help save lives. This Products for Enforcement Action Kit (PEAK) contains customizable materials to help you successfully spread the campaign’s message, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, and complement your enforcement campaign.
This high-visibility enforcement initiative has two important purposes:
To view the flyer with speaker and registration information, click here.
To view the flyer with registration information, click here.
Lorain County, Ohio - An Elyria High School (EHS) student won first place in the Teen Driver Safety Billboard Contest this fall, hosted by State Farm® and the Lorain County Safe Communities Coalition (SCC) that is conducted through Lorain County Public Health (LCPH). Caden, from EHS, received a $500 gift card prize for his artwork titled “Your Last Notification,” which will be displayed on four billboards in Lorain County this winter. Caden’s teacher Carey Dargo received a $250 prize for classroom improvements.
Over 30 high schools also submitted artwork to the Teen Driver Safety Billboard Contest. Judges assessed the artwork based on creativity, originality, and how well the billboard communicated the importance to drive focused. Additionally, two entries tied for runner-up, “Texting and Driving” by Victoria and Shiann from Amherst, and Andrew from Sheffield Village for “Think… is it Really Worth a Life?”.
OTSO - Kudos to Lorain Co. Safe Communities, State Farm and Lorain County High Schools for their continued partnership in increasing public awareness on Traffic Safety and saving lives.
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. 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.
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.
