TrafficWise - December 19, 2022

Ohio State Highway Patrol sent this bulletin at 12/19/2022 12:29 PM EST

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December 19, 2022

Year-to-Date Confirmed Traffic Fatalities, Current versus 2021 Traffic Fatalities

FATAL CRASHES 2022 YEAR TO DATE MAP can be found here.

OSTATS CRASH DASHBOARD can be found here.

2022 Holiday Season National Enforcement Mobilization
December 14, 2022 - January 1, 2023

The holiday season is known for being merry and bright, but it is also known for being the deadliest season when it comes to drunk driving. Unfortunately, every holiday season, lives are lost due to impaired drivers.
NHTSA and Law Enforcement across Ohio want all drivers to remember this lifesaving message: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. Drivers will see officers working together December 16, 2022, through January 1, 2023, to take drunk drivers off the roads.

Drunk Driving: The Sobering Statistics

During the 2016-2020 December months, there were more than 4,400 people killed in drunk-driving-related crashes.
Drunk male drivers were involved in fatal crashes at a much higher rate (660) in December 2020 compared to female drivers (191).
Young drivers ages 21-34 accounted for the highest percentage (26%) of alcohol-impaired fatalities in December 2020.

Click here to get your 2022 campaign materials.

December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

OVI in Ohio: 2017 to Present

So far in 2022, there has been 10,618 OVI-related crashes in Ohio:

13% (1,395) of those crashes involved a fatality of serious injury.
10.3% (1,096) of all of Ohio's OVI crashes occurred in Franklin County.
Ohio routes with the most OVI crashes: I-75 (208), I-71 (178), US-20 (112), and I-70 (111).

Ohio currently has 186 Drug Recognition Experts (DREs) - law enforcement officers that are highly trained to recognize impairment of drivers under the influence of drugs other than or in addition to alcohol. The DRE Program is a federally funded program through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.

So far in 2022, there has been 14,448 OVI arrests in Ohio:

1,209 (8%) of those arrests involved marijuana
2,343 (16%) involved other drugs

All statistics from Ohio State Highway Patrol OVI Dashboard

DeWine Names Andy Wilson as Nominee for Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety

(COLUMBUS, Ohio)—Governor Mike DeWine announced that he will nominate Andy Wilson as the next Director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. Formerly the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney, Wilson currently serves as the Governor’s Senior Advisor for Criminal Justice Policy.

“Andy Wilson has been an invaluable asset to Ohio prosecutors and law enforcement throughout his distinguished career in public service,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. “Andy has been a trusted advisor on criminal justice issues, and I look forward to him serving as director of the Ohio Department of Public Safety.”

Pending confirmation by the Ohio Senate, Wilson will succeed Tom Stickrath, who is retiring at the end of the year.

Wilson began his career as an assistant prosecutor in Clark County in 2002, specializing in prosecuting individuals who committed sex crimes and violence against children. In January of 2011, Wilson was appointed to serve as the Clark County Prosecutor and was later elected to that position for two subsequent terms.

Since January of 2019, Wilson has served as Governor DeWine’s Senior Advisor for Criminal Justice Policy. Among the areas Wilson has led are violent crime reduction initiatives, first responder wellness and resiliency initiatives, and law enforcement training and professional development initiatives. In this role, he has served as a co-chair of the Governor’s Warrant Task Force, helped to develop the Governor’s Expedited Pardon Project, and worked closely with the Ohio Department of Public Safety on various projects including the launch of the Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center (ONIC) and the Ohio School Safety Center. He has also served as Governor DeWine’s representative to the Ohio Sentencing Commission and the Ohio Supreme Court’s Task Force on Conviction Integrity.

In 2020, Governor DeWine assigned Wilson to assist the Pike County Prosecutor’s Office in prosecuting four individuals accused of brutally murdering eight members of the Rhoden, Manley, and Gilley families in 2016. In addition to helping to secure guilty pleas from two of the prime suspects in the case, Wilson was also involved in the months-long trial and ultimate conviction of George Wagner IV for his role in the mass murders.

Wilson is an associate instructor for the National Criminal Justice Training Center where he teaches courses on the investigation and prosecution of child abuse cases at training seminars across the country.

Wilson has an undergraduate degree in political science from Wright State University and a law degree from the University of Dayton School of Law. Wilson is a veteran of the Ohio National Guard, serving as an armor officer. He lives in Springfield with his wife and two daughters.

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 Legislature

The 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 Test

Effective 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.

The Ohio Driver Manual has just been updated for 2022.

It is available on the BMV website in English, Somali, Spanish, large print (English) and audio (English) versions.

Click here for a downloadable PDF.

Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety release its annual state report card and recommendations for 2023

The non-profit consumer advocacy organization just released its annual report which ranks each state and D.C. on how their traffic safety measures help reduce motor vehicle deaths and injuries.

In the report published on December 6, states were given green, yellow or red ratings based on their progress toward enacting a variety of traffic safety laws.

The report cited a public opinion survey which found that two-thirds of respondents said that not enough is being done to reduce dangerous driving behaviors.

Here's the current report card, according to the Advocates for Highway & Auto Safety:

• Only 5 states and D.C. received a Green rating, showing significant advancement toward adopting all of Advocates’ recommended optimal laws.

• Ohio is one of 36 states that received a Yellow rating, indicating that improvement is needed because of gaps in Advocates’ recommended optimal laws

• 9 states received a Red rating, indicating these states fall dangerously behind in adoption of Advocates’ recommended optimal laws.

See how Ohio stacks up with the rest of the nation by reading the full report here

TRAFFIC SAFETY RESOURCE PROSECUTORS
VIDEO TRAINING SERIES

RECENT VIDEO

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.

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*
You must virtually attend the live webinar for CLE credit.
Please email your bar number to Holly Reese (hreesetsrp@gmail.com) at the conclusion of the webinar to have it submitted to the Supreme Court.

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)
Rebecca Hartman, Chief Toxicologist (Monroe County, Rochester, NY)

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
Jim Maisani, Project Manager – DECP Central Region, International Association of Chiefs of Police
Chuck Hayes, Project Manager – DECP Western 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.

Reminder: Annual I-8000 Proficiency Testing

There are currently over 2,100 Ohio I-8000 operators who have not completed a successful proficiency or subject test in 2022. In order to maintain proficiency, each operator must successfully complete and upload a subject test or proficiency test each calendar year.
Please go to the Breath Instrument Data Center on the Alcohol and Drug Testing page of the Ohio Department of Health website to check your current proficiency date.

Click HERE for more information

If you have questions, please contact the Alcohol and Drug Testing Program at BADT@odh.ohio.gov or (614) 644-4609.

WHEN: January 31, 2023 (8:45 am- 6:00 pm)

WHERE: Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy, 740 E. 17^th 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.

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.

Transportation Research Board

102nd Annual Meeting (Washington, DC)
January 8-12, 2023
https://www.trb.org/AnnualMeeting/AnnualMeeting.aspx

National Sheriffs' Association (NSA)

Winter Legislative & Technology Conference (Washington, DC)
February 3-6, 2023
https://www.sheriffs.org/

Lifesavers 2023 Conference

National Conference on Highway Safety Priorities (Seattle, WA)
April 2-4, 2023
https://lifesaversconference.org/

State Agencies and Partners Working to Keep Older Drivers Safe on Ohio Roadways

Fatal 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.

“My administration has always focused on keeping everyone who travels in Ohio safe. We have developed several resources and programs to help older Ohioans adopt strategies for safe driving, and we also offer alternatives for older drivers who can no longer get behind the wheel safely,” said Governor DeWine. “We hope Ohio families take this opportunity to learn about the services that are available and talk with their loved ones about plans for continued safe mobility.”

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.

“We know that older drivers are traditionally some of the safest drivers, but the number of fatal crashes involving this age group is unfortunately going in the wrong direction,” said Kimberly Schwind with the Ohio Conference of AAA Clubs. “As our older driver population grows, it’s essential that we work together to keep them safe while driving and mobile when it’s time to give up the keys."

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.

“Our office is committed to making Ohio’s roads safer, but we all have a part to play,” said Felice Moretti, Director of The Ohio Traffic Safety Office. “We encourage older drivers to be proactive about safe driving and identify changes in visual and cognitive functions early. Younger drivers can protect other drivers and passengers by obeying the speed limit and never driving distracted or impaired.”

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:

“Driving allows older Ohioans to maintain their independence and stay connected to family, friends, and their communities. While preserving that independence is important, it is also important for everyone to do their part to support safe driving practices to protect themselves and others,” said Ursel J. McElroy, Director of the Ohio Department of Aging. “Especially this year, as more people get back on the roads, and with the holidays right around the corner, it’s a smart time for older Ohioans and their loved ones to refamiliarize themselves on best practices for older drivers so they can get around with confidence.”

To help improve safety, state partners offer the following tips for older drivers and their families:

Stay aware of your changing physical, vision and hearing abilities and adjust your driving habits accordingly.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any medical conditions you have or medications you take could make it unsafe to drive.
Do most of your driving during daylight and in good weather. Avoid busy roadways and rush hours whenever possible.
Plan your route before you drive and choose routes with well-lit streets, intersections with left turn signals and easy parking.
Avoid distractions while driving, including talking or texting on a cell phone, eating, or listening to a loud radio.
Leave plenty of room between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can react if the other driver stops or slows suddenly.
Do not drive too slowly, as this can be as unsafe as speeding.

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.

Localized Traffic Safety Bulletins Available Online:

In partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, OTSO will biannually publish 88 county-specific driver training bulletins for use by parents, teachers, and driving instructors to help educate young drivers on local-level driving trends, dangerous roads and intersections, and seatbelt usage.

Individual data sheets for every county in Ohio are available for download HERE.