The Ohio Traffic Safety Office is distributing full color Fact Sheets, Rack Cards, Posters and Information Cards as part of the new "Phones Down. It's The Law" campaign. These materials are available free of charge to any agency or individual that requests them.
FACT SHEET:
Full color, 2-sided 8.5"x 11" sheet with detailed information that Ohio drivers need to know about the new law.
Fact Sheets come in packs of 50 Single pages can be downloaded and printed from the phonesdown.ohio.gov website
RACK CARD:
Full color, 2-sided 3.66” x 8.5” card with information for drivers on new restrictions, exceptions and penalties under the law.
Rack Cards come in packs of 50 Single pages can be downloaded and printed from the phonesdown.ohio.gov website by clicking on "view toolkit" under resources at the bottom of the homepage.
POSTER:
Full color 8.5"x 11" poster announcing the new law and website.
Posters are sent individually Single pages can be downloaded and printed from the phonesdown.ohio.gov website by clicking on "view toolkit" under resources at the bottom of the homepage.
INFORMATION/TIP CARD:
Full color 2-sided business card size handout announcing the new law and a QR code directing to the website. Designed for law enforcement to hand out with written warnings during the 6-month grace period to educate drivers about the law changes.
Cards come in packs of 50 Single pages can be downloaded and printed from the phonesdown.ohio.gov website by clicking on "view toolkit" under resources at the bottom of the homepage.
CLICK HERE for the *updated* Ohio Traffic Safety Office materials order form to request your free materials
Spanish Fact Sheets and 10x4 vinyl banners coming soon!
April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Last year, The Ohio Traffic Safety Office released its first educational video for use by parents, teachers, and driver education instructors to help them explain the dangers of distracted driving to teens.
The 5-minute light-hearted video is targeted toward youthful drivers and features a pair of young hosts answering the distracted driving questions that instructors get the most.
More videos coming soon! Stay tuned to future editions of TrafficWise for links to videos on Sharing The Road, Top Reasons for Crashes and Ohio's Graduated Driver Licensing (GDL) program.
OTSO Announces Winners of First-Ever Youth Traffic Safety Poster Contest
Earlier this year, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) teamed up with Ohio Family Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) to create new messaging for teen drivers in an effort to reduce youth-related crashes and fatalities in Ohio.
“We believe the best way to promote change in our youth is to involve them,” said OTSO Director Emily Davidson. “The Ohio Traffic Safety Office has always had a great working relationship with FCCLA to help get students involved in advancing traffic safety priorities, like promoting seat belt use and awareness of the dangers of distracted driving, speeding and impaired driving.”
Students were asked to create a traffic safety poster for their peers and OTSO selected five as contest finalists. The finalists were invited to the Cincinnati Reds game on April 16 for a special on-field ceremony and winners’ announcement. The five finalists are:
Grant Hubley, 9th grade, @Anthony Wayne High School, Penta Career Center FCCLA
Ava Scheerer, 11th grade, @Troy High School, Upper Valley Career Center FCCLA
Lily Scheerer, 11th grade, @Troy High School, Upper Valley Career Center FCCLA
Annabelle Ludy, 10th grade, @Troy High School, Upper Valley Career Center FCCLA
Amatallah Al Okbi, 12th grade, @Talawanda School District, Butler Tech Talawanda FCCLA
Lily Scheerer and Annabelle Ludy were announced as the contest winners, and their poster entries were displayed on the ballpark video board in front of the crowd. The posters will now be printed by OTSO and shared with traffic safety partners across the State of Ohio to raise awareness and hopefully prevent youth-related crashes.
Ohio FCCLA has 7,500 affiliated middle school and high school students and is the 6th largest delegation in the United States.
“I am incredibly proud of the Ohio FCCLA students who participated in this contest and impressed by their creativity and dedication in promoting safe driving habits,” said FCCLA Executive Director Sandy Spavone. “It’s an honor to see our members recognized and I look forward to continuing our partnership with OTSO to make a positive impact in our communities.”
Youth-related fatal crashes in Ohio have been steadily rising over the past three years, with 290 deaths in 2022 – accounting for almost 24% of all crashes. Young drivers under the age of 24 are involved in 31% of all crashes in Ohio.
420 Drug-Impaired Driving Prevention Campaign
April 20, 2023 (Thursday)
Although its origins are uncertain, April 20th (more commonly known as 420) has become synonymous with marijuana use and, in some circles, this date is considered is a "marijuana holiday”. Consequently, there will likely be an increase in marijuana use.
As highway safety advocates, your efforts will help reduce the number of crashes and fatalities due to drug-impaired driving. Make a difference by increasing enforcement efforts, raising public awareness, and maximizing your local resources.
Click here to download your campaign materials now.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
During the month of May, NHTSA is urging vehicle drivers and motorists to remember that Motorcyclist Safety Is Everyone’s Safety.
Know the Facts:
5,579 motorcyclists were killed in traffic crashes in 2020, an 11% increase from 2019 (5,044).
Motorcyclist deaths accounted for 14% of the total highway fatalities in 2020.
Ultimately, safe driving and riding practices and cooperation from all road users will help reduce the number of fatalities and injuries on our nation’s highways.
Click here for the 2023 motorcycle safety campaign materials.
On behalf of the NHTSA team, thanks for your proactive support in highway traffic safety.
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.
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.
APRIL TRAFFIC TUESDAY WEBINAR
Title: The Cannabis Impaired Driver: What We Can Expect to See (Ohio Bar Approval for 1.5-hr CLE General Credit)
Date: Tuesday, April 18, 2023
Time: 2:00p-3:30p Eastern
Presenter: Shannon Bryant - Nevada TSRP
Description: Cannabis is not a new drug to the impaired driving scene. However, as more states continue to legalize its use for recreational purposes, the cannabis industry has exploded along with the variety and forms of the products. Many of these products contain few, if any, of the telltale signs of the past, such as odor. The mainstreaming of these products has resulted in a dramatic increase in the number of people using cannabis products and choosing to get behind the wheel. This presentation will cover how cannabis affects the human brain and how those effects translate into observable indicators, allowing for law enforcement to better document the cannabis DUI case to enhance the ability of prosecutors to proceed with such a case. Additionally, it will provide a background into cannabis impairment for prosecutors, so that they can better evaluate and prepare for the handling of the difficult cannabis DUI case in court using a Drug Recognition Expert or other expert witness.
There is no charge to attend this webinar, but you must register in advance. Click here for more information and to register online.
MAY TRAFFIC TUESDAY WEBINAR
Title: The Implicit Four-Letter Word: Bias in Traffic Cases (Ohio Bar Approval for 1.5-hr CLE general credit)
Date: Tuesday, May 23, 2023
Time: 2p-3:30p Eastern
Presenter: Nicole Cofer - WV TSRP
Description: Implicit Biases are held by all regardless of race, gender or status, and that bias has the ability to spill into our work. This talk with take a look at the role bias can play in the investigation, prosecuting and sentencing of traffic cases, and help us to look inward to be cognizant of what biases we may possess and if those biases play a role in how we handle our cases.
There is no charge to attend this webinar, but you must register in advance. Click here for more information and to register online.
JUNE TRAFFIC TUESDAY WEBINAR
Title: .05 - Utah's Experiment in Saving Lives(Ohio Bar Approval for 1.5-hr CLE general credit)
Description: This session will discuss how Utah became the first state in the country to have a per se impaired driving level of .05 BAC. What happened? What is happening now? Where is this going? This session will discuss the mandatory training included in the statute for law enforcement that goes along with the amended per se impaired driving level. It will review how police, prosecutors, and the courts have all responded to the change and how things are really going when the rubber hits the road in Utah now with four years of experience after the change took place.
There is no charge to attend this webinar, but you must register in advance. Click here for more information and to register online.
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.
Upcoming classes:
May 15-16, 2023 - Nelsonville
May 22-23, 2023 - Elyria
June 12-13, 2023 - Warren
July 10-11, 2023 - Cincinnati
August 21-22, 2023 - Springfield
September 11-12, 2023 - London
September 25-26, 2023 - New Philadelphia
October 16-17, 2023 - Nelsonville
October 23-24, 2023 - Cincinnati
November 13-14, 2023 - Elyria
November 27-28, 2023 - London
December 18-19, 2023 - Delaware
To view more upcoming classes and to register, click here.
Updated Manuals Available to Download
NHTSA has released updated ARIDE and SFST manuals for 2023:
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.
Advanced Cannabis Impairment Training (ACIT)
ACIT is an 8-hour course that is designed to train law enforcement officers to observe, identify and articulate the signs of impairment related to cannabis. The goal is to reduce impaired driving incidents and crashes that result in serious injuries and fatalities. The course includes classroom and practical instruction by Drug Recognition Experts. Dates:
June 7, 2023
August 17, 2023
September 7, 2023
Click here for more on the requirements to enroll and how to register.
IACP Technology Conference
International Association of Chiefs of Police
Premier professional event dedicated to technology in law enforcement (Salt Lake City, UT)
Columbus Division of Police Rolls Out Mobile Breath Testing Vehicle
'DUI Interceptor' to assist officers in the field processing suspected DUI drivers
As part of the OVI (Operating a Vehicle Impaired) Countermeasures Program, the Columbus Division of Police has officially launched a mobile breath testing vehicle program, called the DUI Interceptor. The vehicle, which was provided through a grant, will patrol the streets of Columbus and surrounding areas starting March 15, 2023. The DUI Interceptor will assist officers roadside in the field, processing suspected DUI drivers on the spot. The vehicle’s capabilities eliminate the need for officers to transport an impaired driver to a police facility to conduct a breath test, thereby reducing the time it takes for DUI processing and giving police more time to answer patrol calls for service.
To produce a compelling and memorable program, the Division partnered with Ohio-based Bolder & Co. Creative Studios to develop the name, graphics, and a suite of promotional materials to introduce the program and raise awareness in the Columbus area. As a program name, DUI Interceptor aims to clearly state the Division’s goal: remove impaired drivers from the road. The stylized superhero graphics aim to be visually engaging while instilling confidence in the community that their safety is being protected. The tagline, “Going out tonight? So are we.” encourages people to make a plan before they begin drinking to get home safely. To help facilitate drivers making safer choices, the Division has established partnerships with local ride services and will share that information on DUI Interceptor promotional materials.
“Our aim is always to promote safe, sober driving,” said Sergeant Adam Barton from the OVI Countermeasures Unit. “The publicity around this program and the visibility of the vehicle are meant to make people think twice about driving after they’ve been drinking, knowing that if they do drive impaired, they will be charged.”
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.
Click 
