Our mission at the Collaborative is to determinedly work to improve community-police relations and find solutions to the tensions and concerns between community members and the officers that serve them. We know that law enforcement shares these goals and we hope to provide any aid we can in those efforts.
The Ohio Collaborative offers a certification process for police agencies to achieve our mission. Like other certification programs, the process consists of two major components:
Establishing professional standards for law enforcement to meet; and
Administering a voluntary assessment process by which law enforcement agencies can be recognized for their achievements.
We would like to extend our assistance and resources with no cost to the agency, no matter where you are in the process, to get certified with the Ohio Collaborative. Our website has many sample policies and helpful information regarding our standards. You can also reach our free Certification portal here. We currently have 8 standards and 8 available Best Practice policies broken down into 4 Groups:
Group 1= (1)- Use of Force, (2)- Recruitment and Hiring,
Group 2= (3)- Community Engagement, (4)- Body Worn Cameras, (5)- Telecommunicator Training,
Group 3= (6)-Bias Free Policing, (7)- Investigation of Employee Misconduct
Group 4= (8)- Vehicle pursuits
Our trained staff is available to assist your agency with certification by phone, email, or we can come to your agency to assist in the process. If you have questions, or need additional information, please feel free to contact one of our staff members. A member of our staff or one of our trained LE Assessors will be contacting your agency about your participation in the Ohio Collaborative Law Enforcement Agency Certification Program.
The Federal Highway Safety Act of 1966 directed the U.S. Department of Transportation to administer various highway safety programs. This grant program provides federal funds administered through the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) and Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) to eligible entities to be used for projects such as traffic safety education, enforcement and engineering. Funds are used for highway safety support based on problem identification to reduce overall fatal and injury crashes. This program operates on a reimbursement basis.
OTSO administers the Section 402 State and Community grants, related National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) awards and initiatives, and contracts for traffic safety activities. Competitive grant proposals are accepted and reviewed annually, with funds awarded to traffic safety projects that will have the greatest impact on reducing fatal crashes or that significantly improve traffic safety systems. Since partnerships are critical to the long-term success of a project effort, applicants are encouraged to develop broad-based support and commitment from officials and constituent groups toward addressing traffic safety concerns.
Grant Priority Areas
Each grant proposal must focus on one or more of these priority program areas:
Restraint use
Impaired driving
Speed management
Motorcycle safety
Youthful drivers
Distracted driving
Traffic records
Engineering
In addition, competitive grant proposals must include an evaluation strategy that assesses the impact of proposed project activities on the selected priority areas. Based on the proposed strategies, each grant proposal must show how the effectiveness of the proposed activities will be measured. Each proposal is compared to the Countermeasures that Work to ensure projects selected for funding are evidence-based.
Core Group - Federal Grants and Programs
The core group of the Ohio Traffic Safety Office currently has a staff of 10. These 10 professionals have a combined experience of nearly 188 years in traffic safety.
Please visit the Ohio Traffic Safety Office website by clicking here.
Additonal Component - Driver Training Section
In addition to the Core Group, under the Ohio Traffic Safety Office is housed the Driver Training Section which is responsible for the coordination and oversight of Driver Training Education and Schools in Ohio. This section has a staff of four with nearly 38 years of experience. To view information on the Driver Training Section and it's resources, click here.
Additional Component - Ohio Ignition Interlock Program
The Ohio Ignition Interlock Program Coordinator has nearly 28 years of experience and along with contract employees coordinates, inspects and monitors ignition interlock installers and facilities throughout Ohio.
This program is the result of Ohio’s passage of an Ignition Interlock law, H.B. 388 provides the state with an additional tool to deter impaired driving. This law provides for the use of Ignition Interlock Devices for drivers wishing to regain their driving privileges. The OTSO has assumed the oversight and implementation of this new program. In the first year, OTSO developed the structure and rollout in accordance with the Ohio Administrative Rules. The goals were to build the framework for a successful program that includes inspection of installers and develop program policy and procedures that comply with the requirements of the law.
For more information on the Ohio Ignition Interlock Program, click here.
BREATH PERMIT RENEWAL CONTINGENCY PLAN - COVID-19 UPDATE 06/09/2020
To:
Breath Alcohol Testing Operators and Senior Operators
From:
Jeanna Walock, Program Administrator Alcohol and Drug Testing Program
Date:
June 9, 2020
Subject: Breath Testing Renewal Contingency Plan - COVID-19 Updated 06/09/2020
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 September 1, 2020 AND who have not completed a renewal test, click here and follow the instructions to apply for renewal.
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 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 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.
Child Safety
Heatstroke Prevention
There have been 851 children who have died due to vehicular heatstroke since 1998 (reference: https://www.noheatstroke.org). All of these deaths could have been prevented.
These are the statistics as of May 28, 2020:
Child heatstroke fatalities in 2020 - 2
Child heatstroke fatalities in 2019 - 52
Child heatstroke fatalities in 2018 - 53
Child heatstroke fatalities in 2017 - 44
National average of child heatstroke fatalities per year since 1998 - 39
Find and share campaign information for parents, caregivers, schools and organizations, and remind everyone to
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):
There were 601 people who died in motor vehicle traffic crashes and 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.
Of those who died in alcohol-impaired crashes, 60% 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.
June 2020
Please click here to find the June edition of NHTSA’s ImpairedDriving Division Update. In this edition you will find information about the 4th of July enforcement and social norming campaigns and enforcement campaing materials. Additional Highlights include:
Lifesaver's Conference 2020 Webinar Series
Opening for 10 State Judicial Outreach Positions
Free Certification Training on the Impaired Driving Assessment Tool
and more
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.
Due to COVID-19, please note that all in-person courses hosted by ODOT’s Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Center have been cancelled through the end of July, including courses from the National Highway Institute (NHI). However, many other training resources are currently available through LTAP, including a variety of free webinars, eLearning courses and publications!
Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT) Intersections Webinar – July 16. Click here to access the flyer with registration information.
Click here to visit the LTAP Webinars webpage with listings of additional upcoming topics.
Click here to visit the LTAP eLearning webpage for details on how to access more than 250 free online courses/modules. Topics include Road Diets, Roadway Departure Countermeasures and many others.
Click here to visit the LTAP Route of Navigation (RON) Educational series, with links to dozens of resource publications for topic categories such as Access Management, Roadway Safety, Signage and Work Zone Safety.
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.
Connecting Trails in Ohio
Shared-use paths (trails) are an important tool for creating safe, connected active transportation networks. Ohio boasts hundreds of miles of these trails. Planning, funding, constructing and managing trails require many partners around the state including park districts, local jurisdictions, regional trail groups and others.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, trails have been more important than ever, providing needed access to outdoor recreation as well as transportation for essential service workers. In fact, national trail usage is up 200% compared to the same time last year, according to the Rails to Trails Conservancy.
However, trails have also been impacted by the effects of COVID-19. Impacts range from closed trails, increased signage needs, new regulations, loss of volunteer hours and a loss of visitors due to cancelled events. With all these changes, we thought it was time to check in with Ohio’s trail community.
Keeping Trails Safe During COVID-19
While some trail amenities, such as restrooms and gathering spaces, may remain closed, many trails are open for use. To accommodate this, trail and park leadership are creating and displaying informational signs, updating websites, creating videos and other materials to communicate the best way to use trails safety.
To view issue 48 of GroundWork and past issues 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
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,
The 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.
