Patrol Reports 4 Fatal Crashes During Labor Day Holiday Weekend
Troopers say 2022 was the safest Labor Day Weekend in more than a decade
COLUMBUS - The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting four fatal traffic crashes which claimed four lives over the Labor Day holiday weekend, according to provisional data. The data collected points to the 2022 Labor Day holiday weekend as being the safest since 2010.
Troopers arrested 405 drivers for OVI
1,992 safety belt citations issued
Troopers also made 221 drug arrests and 94 felony apprehensions
The Labor Day weekend reporting period began Friday, September 2 at 12 a.m. and ended Monday, September 5 at 11:59 p.m.
A total of 16,894 traffic enforcement stops were conducted along with 10,356 non-enforcement stops. Troopers also provided assistance to 2,065 motorists.
The personal, physical, and environmental benefits of walking can lead to healthier, quieter, cleaner, and safer streets. Walking can also improve local economies and enhance social and community engagement, which can lead to more vibrant, resilient, and livable spaces.
Unfortunately, in 2020 there were 6,516 pedestrians killed in the United States. That is 18 pedestrians a day and 125 pedestrians a week. On average, a pedestrian was killed every 81 minutes and injured every 10 minutes in traffic crashes in 2020.
Please use these materials to increase awareness about how we can combat pedestrian crashes in our communities.
Click here to get the 2022 Pedestrian Safety campaign materials.
On behalf of the NHTSA team, thanks for your proactive support in pedestrian safety.
Teen Driver Safety Week
October 16-22, 2022
This week, and every week, 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:
distracted driving (including texting while driving)
impaired driving (alcohol and drugs)
inconsistent or no seat belt use
number of passengers
speeding
Even if you think they aren't listening, they are. Remember, set the rules before they hit the road.
Click here and get your campaign materials now from NHTSA.
Motorcycle Ohio Presents Final 'Saved By The Helmet' Awards of 2022
On September 8, Roger and Cindy Stoppa of Marysville were recognized during bike night at Leon's Garage for wearing their helmets when they were involved in a serious crash on May 28 2022. The couple was riding on State Route 4 in Seneca County, when they were hit by the driver of a car who failed to yield from a stop sign. The Stoppas were treated at the hospital for injuries, but they both believe their helmets saved their lives. They were presented with certificates of recognition and new replacement helmets.
In 2022, Motorcycle Ohio presented 17 awards to Ohio riders who were 'Saved By The Helmet'!
TRAFFIC SAFETY RESOURCE PROSECUTORS VIDEO TRAINING SERIES
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COMBATING ALCOHOL AND DRUG - IMPAIRED DRIVING (IIHS), to view this video click here.
PREVIOUS VIDEOS
TO MEET THE TSRP'S AND LEARN WHAT TRAINING IS AVAILABLE TO LAW ENFORMCEMENT AND PROSECUTORS, click here.
TRAFFIC SAFETY CASE LAW UPDATE FOR 2020 - to view this video click here.
OHIO INTOXILYZER 8000 FOR PROSECUTORS - to view click here.
Stay tuned to future issues of TrafficWise as new videos are released.
WEBINAR SERIES
*The following webinars are approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 1.5 CLE credit hours for prosecutors:
SEPTEMBER TRAFFIC TUESDAY WEBINAR
Title: Mellanby Effect: A LEO's Perspective on Homeostasis & Burn Off
Date: Tuesday, September 27, 2022
Time: 2:00p-3:30p Eastern
Presenter: Det. Tom Heller, Seattle Police Department
Description: This session will explain from a law enforcement perspective the many factors to review to determine if a defendant is safely off the roadway, including specifics on the scientific phenomena at play in why alcohol impaired people choose to drive. It will explain the background behind homeostasis and burn-off, and discuss how these scientific factors come into play in a DUI case so that both prosecutors and law enforcement officers can better explain and articulate these factors in order to better investigate and prosecute DUI cases. This session is a crucial follow-up to a prior session on the Mellanby Effect conducted by Washington State TSRP Miriam Norman, which explained these factors from a prosecutor's perspective; this session will provide both prosecutors and law enforcement officers with even more information on these factors, this time from the eyes of a law enforcement officer.
There is no charge to attend this webinar, but you must register in advance. Click here for complete information and registration information.
OCTOBER TRAFFIC TUESDAY WEBINAR
Title: DUI Report Writing: Best Practices for Completing the DUI Alcohol/Drug Influence Report
Date: Tuesday, October 18, 2022
Time: 2p-3:30p Eastern
Presenter: Vin Petty, Florida TSRP
Description: This session will provide an in-depth discussion of techniques and tips to improve the documentation of all aspects of a DUI Investigation. This presentation is taught from a prosecutor's perspective and is designed to assist the law enforcement officer in improving his or her DUI Reports, so that a prosecutor can better use them to succeed in court. It will also serve as a way for prosecutors to better understand what needs to be included in a DUI Report so that they can work to better educate the law enforcement officers that they deal with. A variety of DUI Reports submitted from various agencies in actual DUI Prosecutions -- both good and bad examples -- will be discussed and serve as examples of how to better prepare and use the DUI Alcohol/Drug Influence Report in DUI cases.
There is no charge to attend this webinar, but you must register in advance. Click here for complete information and registration information.
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.
October 31 - November 1 - Lancaster
December 5-6 - Richfield
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.
To view the upcoming classes and to register, 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.
International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
TEAM Coalition Encourages Ohio Fans to Drink Responsibly
As football season in Ohio gets underway, fans will be driving to watch their favorite teams compete on the field - and many adult fans will likely drink alcohol during the game. TEAM Coalition will also be there: to promote responsible choices and positive fan behavior. TEAM Coalition is a nonprofit alliance made up of 24 member organizations and 7 strategic partners across the United States with a goal to prevent drunk driving. TEAM stands for Techniques for Effective Alcohol Management.
“Over the last year, not only have we seen alcohol related fatalities from traffic crashes increase significantly, but also we have seen fans return to live sports and concerts. And in that time, TEAM Coalition has provided effective alcohol management training and certification to more than 45,000 employees working in 250 venues,” said Jill Kiefer, Executive Director for TEAM Coalition.
TEAM gets to work long before kickoff with robust training at venues. Employees learn about the signs of impairment, tolerance, absorption rate factors, and liability. TEAM believes that controlled alcohol service results in a more responsible outcome and less negative fan behavior. The non-profit also supports Fan Codes of Conduct and other game day policies:
Cutting alcohol service well before the end of the event
Limiting how much alcohol an adult may purchase per transaction
Vigorous ID checking to prevent underage drinking
TEAM also created the “Responsibility Has Its Rewards” campaign – a decade long partnership with all major league members of TEAM Coalition. Last season, more than 108,000 NFL fans pledged to be responsible. Fans over age 21 simply fill out the pledge form at the guest services kiosk to enter the sweepstakes. At some venues, they can get a free non-alcoholic beverage for taking the pledge. At the end of the season, each team randomly selects a Responsible Fan for the Season, and the fans representing the Super Bowl teams win a trip for two to the big game.
In Ohio, Cincinnati Bengals fan Kelli Wilker from Troy won the grand prize: airfare and tickets for two to SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles as well as a $100 Uber credit for safe driving.
The Cleveland Browns have been in the top ten for fan participation for the past 5 years. In 2021, the Browns generated 6,034 fan sign-ups.
“Working as a team saves lives and prevents fatal crashes on our roads,” said Kiefer. “When everyone takes responsibility, everyone wins.”
REMEMBER the OTSO offers materials for numerous traffic safety campaigns, including impaired driving, restraint usage, distracted driving, speeding 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.
