The Traffic Safety Proposal Package and GRANTS Plus FFY2021 grant proposals are tentatively scheduled to go live April 20, 2020 with an online submission deadline of May 25, 2020. The dates are subject to change based on the current environment. Questions can be directed to your OTSO Planner and/or your Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL).
BREATH PERMIT CONTINGENCY PLAN - COVID-19
From the Ohio Department of Health
Subject: Breath Permit Contingency Plan – COVID-19
Due to the COID-19 outbreak, the Alcohol and Drug Testing Program will temporarily suspend training classes and in-person Breath Test Operator and Senior Operator permit renewal testing.
For Breath Test Operators and Senior Operators who have a permit with an expiration date prior to July 1, 2020 AND who have not completed a renewal test, follow the instructions found by clicking here.
If you have questions, contact the Alcohol and Drug Testing Program at BADT@odh.ohio.gov or (614) 644-4609.
BREATH ALCOHOL TESTING DURING OUTBREAK
To:
Breath Alcohol Testing Operators and Senior Operators
From:
Jeanna Walock, Program Administrator Alcohol and Drug Testing Program
Subject: Breath Alcohol Testing During Outbreak
In order to protect ourselves and our communities, please continue to conduct breath alcohol tests as usual. Thorough hand washing is the best way to prevent spread of viruses when we are not able to minimize contact with others, as is often the case for public safety personnel. When hand washing facilities are not accessible and hand sanitizer is used instead, do so AWAY from the breath test instrument. Hand sanitizer vapor in the environment of the breath test instrument can cause an Ambient Fail exception.
The risk of virus transmission associated with conducting a breath test is similar to the risk associated with any face to face interaction, such as a traffic stop.
To view the complete notice regarding Breath Alcohol Testing During Outbreak from the Ohio Department of Health, click here.
If you have questions, contact the Alcohol and Drug Testing Program at BADT@odh.ohio.gov or call (614) 644-4609.
The Ohio Department of Health can provide GDL Made Simple brochures to local driver training schools or other agencies for distribution to students and parents as an educational and awareness resource. To request your free brochures, please send an email to: HealthyOhio@odh.ohio.gov and include the following information: Name of driving school, contact person, mailing address, and number of brochures requested.
The Graduated Driver’s License (GDL) law is in place to reduce teen injury behind the wheel and equip teens with the education & training, time, and supervision to best prepare them as a licensed driver. The GDL Made Simple brochure is a simple guide created to help parents and students make sense of the Graduated Drivers Licensing law. The brochure breaks down the step by step process for teens to obtain their driver’s license and the regulations once they earn their license.
NOTE: APRIL & MAY EVENTS HAVE BEEN CANCELLED
OHIO TRAFFIC SAFETY OFFICE - UPCOMING CAMPAIGNS
From: Ohio Traffic Safety Office
To: Ohio Traffic Safety Office Grantees and Traffic Safety Partners
Subject: Campaign Updates from the National Traffic Safety Administration
State Safety Partners,
NHTSA recognizes that States and our law enforcement and first responder partners are working tirelessly to respond to the current public health emergency. In order for States to prioritize public health, NHTSA has postponed our currently scheduled traffic safety campaigns, including the Distracted Driving, Heatstroke Awareness, and Click It or Ticket campaigns. NHTSA recognizes that States may have to reprioritize other actions and we will re-evaluate other NHTSA-funded activities as warranted in the days and weeks ahead.
If you have specific State questions about impacts to NHTSA programs or grant-funded activities, please direct those to your assigned Planner.
We appreciate your commitment to safety.
Thank you,
Ohio Traffic Safety Office
Dear Colleagues,
Please find the April edition of NHTSA’s Impaired Driving Division Update by clicking here. In this edition you will find information about the Drug-Impaired Driving Criminal Justice Evaluation Tool, an upcoming webinar about the challenges treatment courts are facing during COVID-19, funding opportunities, and other engaging webinars.
We hope you find the Update helpful.
Healthy wishes,
Morgan - NHTSA
Share The Road
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
National Ride to Work Day - June 17, 2020
Motorcycle crashes involving another motor vehicle continue to account for nearly half of all motorcyclist fatalities in the United States. Motorcyclists are inherently at more risk than motor vehicles because they lack many of the same safety features of automobiles. From a statistical perspective, motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a crash than other motorists. NHTSA has a vested interest in addressing the types of motorist behaviors that pose a risk to motorcyclists. In years past, and enshrined in statutory language, these efforts have been bundled under the moniker of Share The Road.
For more information, facts and toolkits, click here.
Work Zone Traffic Control Webinar Series
In response to the social distancing direction we have been given, Ohio LTAP is offering our one-day Work Zone Traffic Control training course via a series of webinars. Work Zone safety is critical for everyone, especially those working along the roadways. Raymond Brushart, the Ohio LTAP Safety Circuit Rider, will be your presenter. The day-long course will be offered through five different webinars. You must register for each webinar individually using the link below that webinar’s description. Individual webinar certificates will be issued for those who fully participant in a webinar. (participate in one webinar = receiving the certificate for that webinar) The link you receive when you register is specific to you, so please don’t share it with others. There is NO COST to participate in any of these webinars in this series. We recommend registering soon as we anticipate this will be a very poplar training option as we kick-off construction season 2020 for Ohio.
For complete information regarding the Work Zone Traffic Control Webinar Series, click here.
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.
The ARIDE program stresses the importance of the signs and symptoms of the seven drug categories. Officers attending this course will receive an update/refresher of Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFSTs) and must successfully pass an SFST proficiency evaluation. This training also promotes interaction with representatives from the state's prosecution community who are encouraged to attend. The instructors for this course are all Ohio DRE certified instructors. Prerequisite: Law enforcement officers must have had training in SFST (previously ADAP). This course is funded through an OTSO/NHTSA grant and is free for sworn Ohio law enforcement officers and prosecutors only. Tuition for out-of-state officers is $250.
London instructor(s): Dwight Underwood
Richfield instructor(s): Mike Golec
The view the upcoming classes and to register, click here.
To view the flyer with registration information for Canton, click here.
To view the flyer with registration information for Lima, click here.
To view the flyer with registration information for Cincinnati, click here.
To view the flyer with registration information for Norwalk, click here.
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.
Traffic Safety Partners & Parents
In an effort to stay safe and healthy during the coronavirus pandemic, many of us are isolated at home. As your daily routines have been disrupted, perhaps you and your teen can utilize this time to discuss safe driving behavior. Take a look at our online resource called The Academy for free virtual driver training.
World class instructors will walk you through lifesaving advanced safe driving skills. You will test your knowledge with short quizzes and receive a certificate of completion.
The Academy has 5 learning units that include a total of 21 videos. Each of them less than 6 minutes long.
Speed Management: 3 videos / Space Management: 6 videos
By spending only 20 minutes a day, in one week you and your teen will complete this training course. You can also present the certificate of completion to your insurance company for rate reduction consideration.
Your safety and well-being are our number one priority, and not just when you’re on the road. As you hunker down with family, we hope that these resources can provide a time to bond and strengthen your relationship with your teen, while also providing the knowledge of important safe driving skills.
Please, don’t hesitate to reach out to us if you have a question.
Stay healthy and drive safe.
Sincerely,
The Ford Driving Skills for Life team
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.
