The deadline for submitting a FFY2021 Traffic Safety Grant has been extended to June 1, 2020. Questions can be directed to your OTSO Planner and/or your Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL).
The Autobahn in Ohio? Highway patrol sees spike in 100-mph speeding tickets
May 20, 2020
From Norwalk Reflector - There was much less vehicle traffic this spring as the coronavirus pandemic took hold, but Ohio's open roads led to dramatic increase in speeding tickets issued to the state's most aggressive drivers. More.
HIGH VISIBILITY ENFORCEMENT - PUBLICITY
High Visibility Enforcement must be coordinated and include equal components of Enforcement, Visibility and Publicity (media, messaging and enforcement enhancing elements). The HVE message must emphasize enforcement targeting a specific traffic safety problem.
To enhance the visibility of your enforcement, you must use a combination of ways to alert the motoring public of your efforts. Pick and choose several methods from each category listed below. Even if you are unable to support your enforcement with paid media, you can effectively publicize it by using several tools from the earned media category as well as several tools from the visibility elements.
Your publicity should always include pre-event, during, and post-event messaging. Remember: Tell the motoring public what you are going to do; Do it, and; Tell them what you did.
View the complete High Visibility Enforcement - Publicity information from NHTSA by clicking here.
BREATH ALCOHOL TEST STEPS
To: Breath Alcohol Testing Operators
From: Jeanna Walock, Program Adminstrator Alcohol and Drug Testing Program
Date: May 14, 2020
Subject: Breath Alcohol Test Steps
When conductng a breath alcohol test on an I-8000, be careful to wait until the instrument display says "Please Blow Until Tone Stops/R" before handing the breath hose and attached mouthpied to the test subject.
Make sure that the subject does not provide a breath sample while "Attach Mouthpiece" or "Reference" appears on the display screen.
If you have any questions, contact the Alcohol and Drug Testing Program at BADT@odh.ohio.gov or call (614) 644-4609.
To view the complete notice from the Ohio Department of Health, click here.
BREATH PERMIT RENEWAL CONTINGENCY PLAN - COVID-19 UPDATE
To:
Breath Alcohol Testing Operators and Senior Operators
From:
Jeanna Walock, Program Administrator Alcohol and Drug Testing Program
Date:
April 28, 2020
Subject: Breath Testing Renewal Contingency Plan - COVID-19 Updated 04/28/2020
Due to the COVID-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 August 1, 2020 AND who have not completed a renewal test, click here and follow the instructions to apply for renewal.
INSTRUCTION’S NOTE: To get the “Attached Proficiency Test Form” listed in item #1 of the instructions:
If you have any questions, contact the Alcohol and Drug Testing Program at BADT@odh.ohio.gov or call (614) 644-4609.
We will communicate in the future when we are again able to conduct training and in-person renewal testing. If your I-8000 card expired on 12/31/2019 and you have not completed a renewal test, we will resume testing when we are able to conduct in-person testing.
BREATH ALCOHOL TESTING DURING OUTBREAK
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.
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.
May 2020
Please click here to find the May edition of NHTSA’s ImpairedDriving Division Update. In this edition you will find information about the 4th of July enforcement and social norming campaigns, free training on the ImpairedDriving Assessment (IDA) tool, the National Conference on State Legislatures’ (NCSL) Spring Webinar Series on traffic safety, funding opportunities, and other engaging webinars.
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.
Ohio SADD Presents
Online Learning Series
Featuring Traffic Safety for Teens
Spring 2020
For those of you who could not participate in the Online Learning Series, SADD has recorded and made available each of the following learning opportunities for you.
To view the May 5, “CAR CARE FOR TEENS” – click here.
To view the May 13, “LIVE MORE, TEXT LESS BEHIND THE WHEEL” webinar – click here.
To view the May 19, “GET CREATIVE - PROMOTING TRAFFIC SAFETY” webinar – click here.
To view the May 21, “THE DISTRACTED BRAIN and ITS IMPACT On DRIVING” webinar, click here.
To view the May 27, “THE 100 DAYS OF SUMMER” webinar, click here.
Lifesavers Conference 2020 Webinar Series
As you know, the Lifesavers Conference was cancelled due to the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak. We had hoped to proceed with the conference in Tampa, but the safety and well-being of our speakers, vendors, attendees, and event staff is of the utmost importance and always our priority.
Lifesavers is using this as an opportunity to innovate and continue with our mission to disseminate current information to traffic safety professionals across the country. Lifesavers is excited to announce that for the very first time will be conducting the “Lifesavers Conference 2020 Webinar Series”. This series will highlight presentations from various Lifesavers Conference tracks addressing hot-topics, latest trends, and cutting-edge programs.
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):
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 Cincinnati, click here.
To view the flyer with registration information for Norwalk, click here.
To view the flyer with registration information for Defiance, 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.
Year-To- Date Motorcycle Confirmed Motorycle Traffic Fatalities, Current versus Previous Year
The Motorcycle Ohio rider education program offers a variety of courses for new and returning riders to acquire the knowledge and skills needed for safe and responsible motorcycle operation. Part of being a motorcyclist is about lifelong learning. Getting started with training through Motorcycle Ohio gives riders a solid foundation. Riders learn how to operate the motorcycle and work on street strategy—so that they go out with a degree of competency when riding on the roadways.
For more information on Motorcycle Ohio, click here.
STUDENTS AGAINST DESTRUCTIVE DECISIONS PRESENTS:
“SUPER SAFE SUMMER”
2020
Ohio SADD is joining California, Arizona, Wyoming, Colorado, Louisiana, and New York SADD for a great and safe Summer. Based on the “100 Days of Summer”, SADD wants to encourage teens to think before they drive and take the time to stay safe this summer season. It is easy to participate, and we are giving away prizes all Summer-long! Simply “like”, “follow”, comment, or participate in activities all through the week on our social media pages. Go to www.facebook/saddohio or to twitter @ saddohio and participate in all or some of the activities. Each day has a theme, and some great tips to stay safe this summer behind the wheel. Make sure you use the hashtag #SuperSafeSummer or #SADD20 when you post.
Here is the line-up for our activities:
MOTIVATION MONDAY: Get a great motivational tip to start your week.
SUPER TIP TUESDAY: Learn a new tip to have a Super Safe Summer.
WEBINAR WEDNESDAY: Join amazing experts and ask questions or comment with SADD Coordinators.
TRIVIA THURSDAYS: Join us for some fun games.
LIVE MORE FRIDAYS: Learn more with Text Less Live More
SEATBELT SAFETY SATURDAYS: well, you know what a selfie is….just make sure you buckle up.
For more info, contact Teresa Carper: tcarper@sadd.org
OHIO SAFE COMMUNITIES ON THE WEB
Adams County Safe Communities Facebook – Click here.
Delaware County Safe Communities Home Page – Click here.
Hamilton County Safe Communities Home Page – Click here.
Knox County Safe Communities Facebook – Click here.
Lake County Safe Communities Home Page – Click here.
Miami County Safe Communities Facebook – Click here.
Ross County Safe Communities Facebook – Click here.
Tuscarawas County Safe Communities Home Page – Click here.
Williams County Safe Communities Home Page – Click here.
Wood County Safe Communities Twitter – Click here.
Interested in bicycle and pedestrian safety? Help ODOT update the Strategic Highway Safety Plan’s bicycle and pedestrian emphasis area plan on Wednesday, June 3. RSVP for meeting details!
NOTE
Due to the current situation we are operating under, (COVID-19 Pandemic), our materials orders have been delayed. We will hold on to your orders and as soon as we can get them processed, we'll get them out.
Thank you for your understanding.
Ohio Traffic Safety Office
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.
