The Traffic Safety Proposal Package and GRANTS Plus FFY2021 grant proposals are scheduled to go live the week of April 20, 2020 with an online submission deadline of May 25, 2020. IDEP/STEP and DDEP are scheduled to go live the afternoon of April 20, 2020. OVI Task Force, General and Safe Communities are scheduled to go live the afternoon of April 22, 2020. The deadline is still tentatively scheduled for May 25, 2020, but is subject to change. Questions can be directed to your OTSO Planner and/or your Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL).
THE OTSO DASHBOARD IN OSTATS IS NOW AVAILABLE ON THE OTSO WEBSITE
The red button for Crash Statistics will take OTSO Grantees to the statistics dashboard. The new dashboard allows users to filter crash data by County and by FIPS, and can click on a variety of crash variables to get statistics by year and severity. In addition, data can be displayed as a bar chart or line graph. Dashboard views can be saved as an image, PDF file, or in PowerPoint format. The OTSO dashboard will be updated weekly with the latest crash data.
Furthermore, users can directly access a link to the main OSTATS dashboard to see more detailed statistics and maps, showing crashes by severity and crash density on a map at the county and NCIC level.
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.
DRUNK DRIVING | DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER
4th of July
Enforcement Campaign Materials
Americans love to celebrate the 4th of July with family, friends, food, and fireworks. But all too often the festivities turn tragic on the nation's roads. This iconic American holiday is also one of the deadliest holidays of the year due to drunk-driving crashes.
Over the 4th of July holiday period in 2017 (6 p.m. June 30 to 5:59 a.m. July 5):
601 people died in motor vehicle traffic crashes. 39% (237) of those fatalities occurred in alcohol-impaired crashes. This is a 23% increase from 2016, during which 192 people were killed during the same holiday period.
60% of those who died in alcohol-impaired crashes were in a crash involving at least one driver or motorcyclist with a BAC of .15 or higher.
These enforcement marketing tools can be used to fit your needs and objectives while, at the same time, partnering with other states, communities, and organizations on this drunk driving prevention initiative.
For 4th of July "Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving" (social norming) marketing materials, please click HERE.
DRUNK DRIVING | DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER PEAK ENFORCEMENT KIT
National Mobilization
The 2020 national enforcement mobilization "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" goes into effect across the country from August 19 to September 7, 2020. One of the deadliest and most often committed - yet preventable - of crimes (impaired driving), has become a serious safety epidemic in our country.
August 19 - September 7, 2020 [paid media advertisement]
August 26 - September 7, 2020 [national enforcement mobilization]
As law enforcement professionals and highway safety advocates, your efforts will help reduce the number of crashes and fatalities due to impaired driving. By increasing State enforcement efforts, raising public awareness through paid, earned, and social media, and maximizing your local resources, you can make a difference.
Use these customizable enforcement materials to help you successfully spread the campaign’s message, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, and complement your enforcement campaign. The high-visibility enforcement model has two important purposes:
Spread the message, and
Increase enforcement efforts.
For more information, facts and toolkits, click here.
Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) Webinar Series - Register now!
Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP) Webinar Series
Pedestrians account for over 17.5 percent of all fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and many of these deaths occur at uncontrolled crossing locations such as mid-block or un-signalized intersections. These are among the most common locations for pedestrian fatalities generally because of inadequate pedestrian crossing facilities and insufficient or inconvenient crossing opportunities, all of which create barriers to safe, convenient, and complete pedestrian networks.
Expecting pedestrians to travel significantly out of their way to cross a roadway to reach their destination is unrealistic and counterproductive to encouraging healthier transportation options. By focusing on uncontrolled locations, agencies can address a significant national safety problem and improve quality of life for pedestrians of all ages and abilities.
During this webinar series, learn about Proven Safety Countermeasures which directly impact pedestrian safety. The first three and a half parts of the webinar series will focus on delivering the “Safe Transportation for Every Pedestrian (STEP)” day-long course. The second ½ of the fourth webinar will feature an update on Ohio’s application of the Proven Safety Countermeasures for all public roadways!
Dates, times and registration links for the webinars are available below. Register soon to secure your spot!
Questions? Please contact Ohio LTAP at ltap@dot.ohio.gov or 614-387-7359
We are pleased to announce that registration is now open for the following free (grant-funded) sessions of the National Highway Institute (NHI) course on Traffic Signal Design and Operation (FHWA-NHI-133121):
June 22 & 23 – Lebanon, OH Click here to register.
June 25 & 26 – Jacksontown Click here to register.
July 21 & 22 – Bowling Green Click here to register.
July 23 & 24 – Garfield Heights Click here to register.
To access a PDF flyer for this course topic, click here.
If you have any questions regarding the online registration process, please contact Ohio LTAP by phone or email.
The Ohio LTAP Center
614-387-7359 or 1-877-800-0031 (Toll Free in Ohio)
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.
"Due to COVID-19 orders, the May 12 & 13, 2020, Cops in Court classes have been cancelled."
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.
QUESTION:
WHAT DOES COLLEEN PETRO, JEFF ANSPACH, PAUL HUMPHRIES
AND MIKE GORE HAVE IN COMMON?
ANSWER:
THEY ARE THE OHIO TRAFFIC SAFETY OFFICE’S LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISONS
WHO ARE HERE TO ASSIST OUR TRAFFIC SAFETY PARTNERS THROUGHOUT OHIO.
The goal of the Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) Program is to enhance all aspects of OTSO’s relationship with Ohio’s law enforcement agencies. The LEL Program consists of a state LEL Coordinator and four field LELs who are placed geographically throughout Ohio. The LELs’ primary roles are to:
Seek commitments from agencies to participate in the national mobilizations;
Increase participation in the mobilizations to more than 470 agencies in 2020;
Increase percentage of agencies reporting in the mobilizations to 75 percent in 2020. Currently, approximately 72 percent of participating agencies are reporting;
Visit law enforcement agencies to encourage the agencies to issue citations for distracted driving, seat belt and child passenger restraint violations and take a zero tolerance approach on impaired driving and improperly licensed motorcyclists;
Educate agencies on the need for their officers to wear seat belts at all times;
LELs promote the Below 100 Training to law enforcement agencies across the state;
Educate law enforcement on laws and regulations pertaining to motorcycles;
Disseminate information and materials on NHTSA programs and projects;
Disseminate information and address any traffic safety related issues that arise around the state;
Encourage accurate and timely submission of crash reports; LELs promote the new online crash reporting system to agencies that do not currently report electronically;
Assist with training for law enforcement agencies and other traffic safety funded agencies; encouraging and arranging GIS Crash Analysis Tool System (GCATS) training to help in Problem Site Identification;
Assist with the physical inspection and documentation of federally funded equipment;
Help promote the E-Citation Program;
DRE Recruitment and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE) training.
To view Ohio Law Enforcement Liaison map and contact informationn, click here.
Parents should have conversations with their teens about the important rules they need to follow to stay safe behind the wheel of a motor vehicle. 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.
Facts about Teen Driver Fatalities
Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for teens (15-18 years old) in the United States, ahead of all other types of injury, disease, or violence.
In 2017, there were 2,247 people killed in crashes involving a teen driver, of which 755 deaths were the teen driver - a 3% decrease from 2016.
Parents can be the biggest influencers on teens' choices behind the wheel if they take the time to talk with their teens about some of the biggest driving risks.
To see more about Teen Safety from our partners at NHTSA and Traffic Safety Marketing, click 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.
