TrafficWise - December 19, 2022
Ohio State Highway Patrol sent this bulletin at 12/19/2022 12:29 PM EST
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![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Happy Holidays from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office Staff!Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a happy and safe new year!![]() A Message From Madison Co. Safe Communities Coalition:During this holiday season, we want to take the opportunity to thank all our partners that help us make safe driving a priority in Madison County. Our law enforcement, EMA, Prosecutor’s Office, Engineers Office, and many more serve our community persistently throughout the year. Their efforts make it possible to provide Madison County with safe driving resources that save lives. Madison County Safe Communities, Madison County Law Enforcement and Safe Communities’ partners wish you a happy and safe holiday season! ![]() ![]() Distracted Driving Bill Clears Ohio LegislatureThe Ohio General Assembly passed a massive criminal-justice reform bill early Thursday morning (12/15), which includes a provision to strengthen Ohio law and make distracted driving a primary offense. Ohio already bans texting while driving, but Senate Bill 288 would go further by making it illegal for drivers to hold their phones or press buttons or screens. The bill would also allow law enforcement to pull drivers over solely for a phone-related violation. Right now, officers in Ohio can only cite drivers for distracted driving after pulling them over for another offense. "The goal of this bill is not to punish people, it is about changing behavior," said Representative Cindy Abrams (R-Harrison), one of the bill's sponsors. "Accompanying this bill will be a massive, statewide education campaign, ensuring everyone is aware of Ohio's distracted driving laws." Currently, only Ohio, Nebraska, Missouri, and Montana are the only states without primary enforcement laws. "I am a 30-year insurance agent, so I have seen crashes involving distracted driving, and I know these accidents are 100% avoidable," Rep. Brian Lampton (R-Beavercreek) explained in his sponsor testimony. "Not only are we all paying higher insurance rates due to the property damage involved, we are losing lives. Road construction workers and innocent law-abiding drivers are being killed by distracted driving." The Ohio House passed a different distracted driving bill last month, with the same language, but it was held up in the Senate. Senate Bill 288 now heads to Governor Mike DeWine to be signed. Update to Ohio Revised Code Shortens Wait Period to Retest for a Driving Skills TestEffective December 15th, 2022 - applicants under age 18 who fail the driving skills test no longer need to wait 7 days before retesting. The waiting period is now shortened to 2 calendar days. This change applies to both Class D and CDL drivers. Individuals over age 18 who have failed the driving test the first time are still required to take the Abbreviated Adult Driver Training Course, unless they have taken an approved driver education course within one year of the test.
Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety release its annual state report card and recommendations for 2023
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![]() The Ohio State Highway Patrol and The Ohio State University – John Glenn College of Public Affairs will host the 2023 Public Safety Leadership Academy for qualified police executives. This intensive, 11-week residential professional training program will be held March 27, through June 9, 2023, at the Patrol's Training Academy. Click HERE for more information on student requirements, and how to nominate an executive officer to attend this course. The deadline to submit is December 23, 2022. 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* JANUARY TRAFFIC TUESDAY WEBINAR Title: Marijuana & Driving in 2023: It's Not Just Delta-9-THC Anymore Date: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 Time: 2p-3:30p Eastern Presenters: Erin Karschner, Forensic Toxicologist (Armed Forces) Description: Marijuana is the second most frequently encountered substance in driving under the influence (DUI) cases in the United States. Legalization has resulted in more drivers exposed to Delta-9-THC, the primary intoxicating component of marijuana. In states that have not yet legalized marijuana, man-made variants of Delta-9-THC are often sold in products as legal alternatives. These variants, or isomers, can be found in stores and online in infused cannabis flower, vaping oils, and in various edible forms. In particular, Delta-8-THC and Delta-10-THC isomers are now appearing in seized drug and DUI cases. This presentation will describe indicators of marijuana intoxication on the road, the most reliable methods of detecting marijuana use during a Drug Recognition Expert evaluation, and the importance of blood collection time for toxicology results. Cases involving THC isomers will be highlighted, and analysis and interpretation issues will be discussed. There is no charge to attend this webinar, but you must register in advance. Click here for more information and to register online. FEBRUARY TRAFFIC TUESDAY WEBINAR Title: DRE and the IACP 2023: Updates & Enhancements Date: Tuesday, February 21, 2023 Time: 2p-3:30p Eastern Presenters: Joe Abrusci, Project Manager – DECP Eastern Region, International Association of Chiefs of Police Description: This session is intended to provide an update on projects related to and affecting the DRE program that are underway, as well as new offerings to help further ARIDE and DRE training. Additionally, it will provide updates on recent and pending Frye/Daubert Hearings regarding the DRE program. Finally, it will provide information on judicial and prosecutor training related to the DRE program. There is no charge to attend this webinar, but you must register in advance. Click here for more information and to register online.
![]() WHEN: January 31, 2023 (8:45 am- 6:00 pm) WHERE: Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy, 740 E. 17th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, 43211 WHO: Municipal and County Prosecutors and Law Enforcement HOW: This course is being hosted by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office/ Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor/ Ohio Drug Evaluation and Classification program, and the Ohio State Highway Patrol. Funding is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. REGISTRATION: Email TrafficSafety@dps.ohio.gov by January 15, 2023. This course has been approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 8.00 total CLE hours, with two and a half hours of attorney professional conduct instruction. It is free for prosecutors and law enforcement. Please contact Holly Reese, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor @ hreesetsrp@ gmail.com or (330)904-8971 with any questions. Click HERE for complete course description and agenda.
Transportation Research Board
National Sheriffs' Association (NSA)
Lifesavers 2023 Conference
![]() State Agencies and Partners Working to Keep Older Drivers Safe on Ohio RoadwaysFatal crashes involving older Ohioans hit 10-year high in 2021![]() Columbus, Ohio – With fatal crashes involving older drivers on the rise, Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Ohio Department of Public Safety, the Ohio Department of Aging, and AAA are encouraging Ohioans to “Stay Fit to Drive” with resources specifically designed for older drivers and their families. The American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (Dec. 5-9) takes place during the busy holiday season, when many families come together. It offers an opportunity for families to examine different aspects of older driver safety and discover resources that can keep them and their loved ones safe and mobile.
Why Older Driver Safety Matters:People aged 65 and older make up the fastest growing segment of drivers nationally and in Ohio. By 2030, the state will have more than 4.8 million residents who are 65 or older. Nationally, the total number of estimated fatalities for the age 65-and-older age group jumped by 14% in 2021, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). ODOT data shows that the number of deaths involving older drivers hit a 10-year high in 2021, when 299 people died in crashes on Ohio roads, representing 22% of all traffic deaths statewide. Deaths involving older drivers have been rising post-pandemic, as drivers resume normal activities.
Risk Factors that Impact Driving:While older drivers typically take fewer risks while driving than younger drivers, they are more likely to be injured or killed in a crash due to age-related fragility. In addition, normal aging may increase common risk factors for roadway crashes, including changes in vision, hearing, strength, visibility, reflexes, and memory. Medical conditions and certain medications also may impact the ability to drive safely.
Resources for Road Users and Their Families:To help prevent crashes, Ohio has state and local program resources that can help older drivers adopt strategies to stay safe on the road, as well as find alternatives to driving if they can no longer do so safely. These resources can be found on the website, transportation.ohio.gov/olderdrivers. In addition, the Ohio Department of Aging has tips and resources for older Ohioans and their families. They help older drivers maintain their driving abilities and independence and understand the factors that affect their ability to stay behind the wheel safely. They also provide advice for discussing the topic with family members and finding transportation resources. Visit aging.ohio.gov/olderdrivers. Tips for Older Driver Safety:
To help improve safety, state partners offer the following tips for older drivers and their families:
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