According to provisional statistics, 11 people killed on Ohio roadways this New Year holiday.
During the four-day reporting period, from Friday, December 30, at 12 a.m. until Monday, January 2, at 11:59 p.m., 11 people were killed in nine fatal crashes. Impairment was a factor in six fatalities, while eight were not were safety belts.
During reporting period, troopers removed 214 impaired drivers from Ohio’s roads, while citing 67 for distracted driving and 101 for illegal drug violations.
This is a decrease from the four-day reporting period last year, when 12 fatalities were reported.
The public is encouraged to continue using #677 to report dangerous or impaired drivers, as well as drug activity. A statistical analysis of the Patrol’s enforcement activity over the holiday is available at https://statepatrol.ohio.gov/static/links/NewYearHoliday2023_PIO.pdf.
Governor DeWine Announces Expanded Access to Teen Driver Training
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced expanded access to teen driver training for low-income Ohio families through the new “Drive to Succeed” scholarship program.
Administered by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) and available via grants to local governmental agencies, teens selected for a scholarship by grantee agencies would attend an eligible Ohio-approved driving school in their area at little to no cost.
Funding to establish these community-based scholarships will be awarded by OTSO to local agencies through a competitive grant process. Local government agencies, such as police departments, sheriffs’ offices, health departments, and others may apply for funding. The proposing agency must be in an area with a population of 5,000 or more.
“The importance of driver training cannot be overstated, especially for our young drivers,” said Governor DeWine. “This new program aims to remove the financial barrier that may prevent some teens from enrolling in driver education.”
Data shows that young drivers under age 24 are involved in 31% of all crashes in Ohio. Youth-related fatal crashes have been steadily rising over the past three years with 296 fatalities in 2021 accounting for almost 24% of all fatal crashes.
For the first time in Ohio, recent research has shown that new drivers under age 18 who complete the mandatory driver education under Ohio’s Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) restrictions were less likely to crash than drivers licensed at age 18 who are exempt from these requirements. Ohio is one of only 15 states with comprehensive licensing requirements that include behind-the-wheel training at a licensed driving school, in addition to classroom or online instruction, parent-supervised practice driving, and learner permit holding periods.
An information session, known as a Bidder’s Conference, will be held virtually on Wednesday, January 4th at 1 pm.
Agencies that wish to receive a grant must submit their proposals before Jan. 21, 2023.
This announcement follows a number of traffic safety initiatives for young drivers announced by Governor DeWine, including the creation of the Ohio Traffic Safety Council that focuses on youthful driving as one of the four current priority areas. Most recently, the Governor announced new localized traffic safety bulletins available online and to driving schools to help better prepare teens for driving.
Super Bowl Impaired Driving Prevention Campaign
February 12, 2023
Each year, The Super Bowl attracts millions of viewers, with many taking the opportunity to cheer on their favored team with a night out or by attending a party. To help keep us all safe on the roads, NHTSA is teaming up with State and local highway traffic safety advocates to remind all football enthusiasts that:
Fans Don’t Let Fans Drive Drunk
If your night involves alcohol outside your home, plan for a sober ride home. If you’re hosting a party, take care of your guests.
Click here and get your campaign earned media materials now. 2023 posters and social media badges coming soon.
Saint Patrick's Day Buzzed Driving Prevention
March 17, 2023
This year, St. Patrick’s Day - March 17, 2023 - falls on a Friday. The celebratory day is one of the biggest drinking occasions of the year, and this, unfortunately, means more drunk drivers on the roads. With Saint Patrick's Day falling on a Friday, we can expect a fairly dangerous weekend for drivers and passengers alike.
If you plan to drink, make sure you refrain from driving and make a plan to get home safely. Review these facts and share the word about the dangers of drunk driving so you can continue merry-making for all the St. Paddy’s Days to come.
Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
Please use these marketing tools to fit your needs and objectives while, at the same time, partnering with other States, communities, and traffic safety organizations on this impaired driving prevention initiative.
On behalf of the NHTSA team, thank you for your proactive support in decreasing impaired driving and saving lives.
Governor Signs Distracted Driving Bill Into Law
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine signed Senate Bill 288 into law on January 3rd, making distracted driving a primary offense. The law also gives law enforcement more tools to combat distracted driving and save lives. The bill takes effect in 90 days.
“This bill is about a lot more than pulling people over and handing out tickets," DeWine said during the ceremony at the Ohio Statehouse. "It's about changing the culture around distracted driving, and normalizing the fact that distracted driving is just as dangerous as drunk driving.”
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol:
In 2022, distracted driving contributed to at least 31 fatal crashes and 258 crashes with serious injuries.
Since 2017, distracted driving has contributed to 73,788 crashes.
The law does not come with an emergency clause, meaning for the first six months offenders will be given a warning, not a citation. Next, the state will conduct a massive public education campaign to make drivers aware of the new law.
After the warning period, the penalties include:
First offense: $150 fine or a distracted driving course, and 2 points on your license.
Second offense within 2 years: $250 fine and 3 points on your license.
Third offense within 2 years: $500 fine, 4 points on your license and a 90-day license suspension.
Fines are doubled for those who use cell phones while driving in a construction zone. Officers can’t search someone’s phone for evidence of use without a warrant, or unless the driver consents to the search.
The law has several exceptions, which include:
Making an emergency call to police, fire department or the hospital.
Using a phone while stopped on the side of the road, at a red light or because of an emergency or road closure.
Holding a phone near your ear for a call.
Using speakerphone.
Using navigation services as long as you're not typing in a destination or holding the phone.
Using a single touch or swipe to end a call, for example.
Police, other first responders and utility workers are exempt.
Two-way radios used by amateur radio service, are exempt.
Under the new law, the Ohio Highway Patrol also must compile an annual report on how many people are cited for distracted driving, including demographic information such as race.
Nebraska, Missouri, and Montana are now the only states without primary enforcement laws.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Ohio Investigative Unit Celebrates 89th Anniversary
The Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) enforces Ohio’s alcohol, tobacco, and food stamp fraud laws. From human trafficking to trace-back investigations, to suspected illegal activity in liquor permit premises, the impact of their efforts is felt nationwide.
In 2022, OIU’s work resulted in 3,870 cases:
More than 110 cases related to human trafficking/prostitution
130 trace-back investigations
More than 243 guns seized
“As a valued component of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, their public value is measured not just in lives saved, but in the quality of life their work provides in communities throughout Ohio.” said Colonel Charles Jones of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
The Trace Back program allows OIU Agents to investigate alcohol-involved fatal and serious injury crashes to interview suspect/witnesses to “trace back” where alcohol was consumed prior to the crash. Agents can open a case to determine if alcohol was served or consumed in violation of the law to hold establishments accountable for over serving and/or selling to minors. Grant funding from OTSO pays for trace back investigations that are completed in an overtime status.
One trace-back investigation during FFY2022 was conducted by OIU agents in Athens, where one individual was arrested, and one business was criminally charged after an injury crash. A patron had consumed 6 beers and 4 shots in approximately a 90-minute time period at Mel’s Roadhouse in Athens prior to crashing their vehicle. Agents conducted interviews and retrieved video surveillance from the business. During the investigation, agents determined that the patron had been overserved while at the bar. Charges included sale and furnishing beer or intoxicating liquor to an intoxicated person for both the bartender and the business. Additionally, one administrative citation was issued to Mel’s Roadhouse for Sale/Furnish Beer or Intoxicating Liquor to an Intoxicated Person.
“We strongly encourage our liquor permit holders and their staff to take advantage of OIU’s free Alcohol Server Knowledge (ASK) online training,” said Division of Liquor Control Superintendent Jim Canepa. “It’s a great way to stay educated on the most up-to-date rules and regulations on the sale and handling of alcohol.”
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.
