The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is proud to announce that Ohio has submitted the 2019 Restraint Usage Certification compiled by the University of Akron to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at 85.9 percent. The efforts of each and everyone of our Traffic Safety Partners in Ohio has made this achievement possible.
We urge our partners not to rest on our laurels in 2020 but to continue working to increase Ohio's restraint usage rate. By enforcing Ohio Seat Belt laws and increasing public awareness on the importance of restraint usage for infants, children, and adults, we can reduce the fatalities and serious injuries on Ohio's roads.
Again, congratulations and thank you for your efforts. - OTSO
DECEMBER IS IMPAIRED DRIVING
PREVENTION MONTH
Alcohol-impaired driving fatalities account for nearly one third of all traffic fatalities in the U.S. In 2018 10,511 people died as a result of alcohol-impaired crashes. Drugged driving is also becoming a major problem. Whether it’s alcohol or other drugs, impaired driving is impaired driving. December is Impaired Driving Prevention Month, reminding us to continue to communicate with communities the dangers of impaired driving. Learn more about drunk and drugged driving on NHTSA’s website and find prevention materials on Traffic Safety Marketing
To view the December Impaired Driving Update from NHTSA, click here.
New Report Calls for "Individualized Justice" Approach to Targeting High-Risk Impaired Drivers
One-Third of All Impaired Driving Deaths Caused by Repeat Offenders
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Even as our nation’s roadways are becoming safer, impaired driving remains a major highway safety problem nationwide. A new report released today by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) in partnership with Responsibility.org calls for a systemic and holistic approach to high-risk impaired drivers that focuses on the individual and the need to treat the underlying problem prompting the unsafe behavior.
The spotlight report, High-Risk Impaired Drivers: Combating a Critical Threat, seeks to help State Highway Safety Offices (SHSOs) and their partners effectively address the problem of high-risk impaired drivers. The report notes that alcohol-impaired fatalities accounted for 29 percent of all U.S. motor vehicle deaths in 2018, the lowest percentage since 1982, when the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began reporting alcohol data. But even with this progress, in 2018 an average of one alcohol impaired driving fatality occurred every 50 minutes, which translates to 29 deaths each day. By shining the spotlight on high-risk impaired drivers, the report seeks to prevent repeat offenders and reduce the number of fatalities.
A high-risk impaired driver is a person who lacks the restraint or self-control to resist driving impaired. These drivers meet one or more of three criteria:
Drive with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.15 g/dL or higher after consuming alcohol
Have consumed a combination of drugs and alcohol (polysubstance user)
Are repeat offenders (i.e., have more than one DUI arrest)
For more information contact: Joe Feese, with GHSA at 202-580-7930.
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
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.
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 registration information, click here.
To view the flyer with registration information, click here.
To view the flyer with registration information, click here.
To view the flyer with registration information, click here.
To view the flyer with speaker and registration information, click here.
PARTNERING FOR A SAFE THANKSGIVING
Portage County Safe Communities, Safe Kids, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol partnered with the Ohio Turnpike Commission the day before Thanksgiving to increase public awareness of traffic safety. The group wished all travelers a safe holiday weekend and reminded them to always buckle up – and never drive impaired or distracted.
Ohio Senator John J. Eklund (18th District) (pictured left) attended and participated in the Safe Communities activities at the westbound Portage Service Plaza. Lieutenant Philip J. Robinson, OSHP Hiram Post Commander; Julie Warholic, University Hospitals Portage Medical Center; Lynette Blasiman, Portage County Safe Communities Project Director; and Ali Mitchell, Portage County Health District/Safe Kids were also in attendance.
Lieutenant Jeffrey S. Greene, OSHP Ravenna Post Commander; Deb and Lou Gliozzi, Safe Communities; and Ohio Representative Randi L. Clites (75th District) participated in the event conducted at the eastbound Brady’s Leap Service Plaza (pictured right).
OTSO believes partnerships have been, and continue to be, critical to the success of Ohio's efforts in Traffic Safety. Do not hesitate to reach out to community members who may have the same goals as you in reducing deaths and injuries.
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.
