Year-to-Date Confirmed Fatalities, Current vs 2025 Fatalities
 FATAL CRASHES 2026 MAP can be found here.
OSTATS CRASH DASHBOARD can be found here.
 
The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) is working closely with law enforcement agencies across the state to prevent impaired driving on our roadways. Beginning Aug. 19 and running through Labor Day weekend, law enforcement will be highly visible as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign.
The effort aims to reduce the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities caused by impaired driving. Ohio drivers can expect to see increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints throughout the state, especially during nighttime hours when impaired driving incidents are more likely to occur.
Research shows that high-visibility enforcement can reduce impaired driving fatalities by as much as 20 percent.
In 2025, the Labor Day reporting period saw 27 people killed in 23 crashes in Ohio – a 35% increase from the previous year.
- Among those fatal crashes, 15 were OVI-related – resulting in 17 deaths.
- Over the past five Labor Day holiday reporting periods, Franklin (96), Cuyahoga (79), and Lucas (77) counties recorded the highest numbers of OVI-related crashes. Together, these three counties accounted for 30% of OVI-related crashes during that time.
A reminder for participating agencies:
In order to document Ohio’s effort as we report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), law enforcement partners are asked to report their enforcement and public awareness efforts for the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" mobilization.
- The 2026 Activity Reporting form can be downloaded HERE
- Please complete and return your activity numbers to OTSO by September 23 either by fax or e-mail.
In 2025, 53 local law enforcement agencies in Ohio reported their activity to OTSO for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign:
- 161 OVI arrests
- 9,524 traffic stops
- 19,264 enforcement hours worked
Thank you for your agency’s efforts in supporting the goal to make Ohio’s roads safe!
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REMINDER: Submit Traffic Safety Trend Reports to OTSO for the next Fast Facts Bulletins
Each Highway Patrol post is asked to submit crash reports and photos for each county of coverage. These reports should reflect an example of a problem area or local trend from the last 6 months to help educate young drivers about crash risks in the areas they drive every day.
To report crash stories/incidents for the next round of bulletins, fill out this form and email it with all photos by September 1st.
CLICK HERE to download the current "Fast Facts" bulletin for your County!
Thank you to the 23 OSHP Posts who have already submitted reporting forms and photos!
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 Enroll Now: 2026 Motorcycle Instructor Prep Course in Perrysburg
Motorcycle Ohio is now accepting pre-registration for the October 2026 Instructor Preparation Course (IPC) at Owens Community College in Perrysburg. This 90-hour course is designed to prepare you to teach the Basic Riding Skills (BRS) to novice students. You will also learn background and organizational information, classroom teaching techniques, range coaching techniques, and range management.
The IPC consists of self-study coursework along with in-person instruction and a riding assessment.
CLICK HERE to learn more about the pathway to becoming an instructor
Spots are limited - Reserve yours today!
If you have any questions, please contact us by phone at 1-800-83-RIDER (74337) or by e-mail mogen@dps.ohio.gov.
Thank you for your commitment to rider safety and education!
With students across Ohio returning to classrooms, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, is urging all drivers to make safety their top priority during back-to-school season.
OTSO’s Stop Means Stop campaign reinforces one of Ohio’s most critical traffic safety laws; drivers must stop for school buses when they are picking up or dropping off students. This public awareness initiative was launched in 2024, following a recommendation from Governor Mike DeWine’s School Bus Safety Working Group. Under this initiative, OTSO provides schools, law enforcement agencies, and community partners with posters, fact sheets, rack cards, social media materials, and an educational video to help strengthen safety messaging statewide.
Crash data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol shows the need for continued awareness:
- There have been 6,414 traffic crashes involving school buses on Ohio’s roadways since 2021, six of which were fatal. Those six fatal crashes resulted in the deaths of six individuals, with one being a school-aged student.
- In 2025, there were 17 fatal and serious-injury crashes involving a school bus – up from 14 the year before.
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85% of fatal and serious-injury crashes involving school buses are caused by other drivers.
As buses return to neighborhoods, OTSO reminds all drivers to:
- Slow down in school zones.
- Never drive distracted and watch for children approaching or leaving bus stops.
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Stop Means Stop when a school bus activates its red lights and stop arm. This applies to all vehicles traveling in both directions on two-lane roads and roads with a center turning lane.
Educational resources and the full Stop Means Stop campaign toolkit for communities are available on OTSO’s website here: School Bus Safety | Ohio Traffic Safety Office
      Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
Key Dates:
- Enforcement: August 19 – September 7, 2026
- Paid Media: August 12 – September 7, 2026
- Earned Media: July 13 – September 14, 2026
- Labor Day: September 7, 2026
Held annually during the weeks leading up to Labor Day, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over is a national high-visibility enforcement (HVE) campaign that focuses on the consequences of drunk driving and is supported by increased law enforcement.
Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over is a national HVE campaign that focuses specifically on the consequences of drunk riding while urging riders to get a safe, sober ride home. Material created for this campaign highlights law enforcement’s goal of stopping drunk riders and spreading awareness about the increased police presence on our nation’s roads during this period.
During the 2024 Labor Day holiday, there were 505 traffic crash fatalities nationwide. Of these 505 fatalities, 34% (170) involved a drunk driver. Seventy-seven percent of the impaired drivers killed had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher. Among drivers between the ages of 18 and 34 who were killed in crashes over the Labor Day holiday in 2024, 40% of those drivers were drunk, with BACs of .08 or higher.
Boost your safety outreach with relevant, seasonal content designed to keep impaired drivers off the roads. Many assets are available in English and Spanish. Social media posts, talking Points and a sample news release are available now:
On behalf of the NHTSA team, thanks for your proactive support in saving lives on our nation's roads.
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Key Dates:
- September 20-26, 2026: Child Passenger Safety Week
- September 26, 2026: National Seat Check Saturday
Keeping children safe while traveling is a top priority for parents and caregivers, and often parents seek out information regarding car seat safety. Material created for this campaign covers topics every step of the way — from purchasing the correct car seat according to a child’s weight and height, to properly installing it, and when to move them to the next type of seat.
During Child Passenger Safety Week, you'll see increased communication related to car seats, boosters and seat belts. You can use any of the material available from NHTSA to increase your safety messaging. In addition, talking points, sample news releases and social media graphics are available.
Many assets are available in English and Spanish. Share this information with partner organizations to help spread the message across communities.
Click here for campaign materials.
Reminder: Car Seat Basics for Law Enforcement - Free Online Course
Many law enforcement officers report limited training on child passenger safety (CPS) and uncertainty about current Ohio CPS laws. When it comes to protecting child passengers, having quick access to accurate information is critical.
The Car Seat Basics for Law Enforcement online course was designed specifically for officers to build confidence in recognizing proper car seat use, understanding Ohio’s CPS laws, and knowing how to respond in the field. This convenient, self-paced training also offers CPT credit.
Take a proactive step to better protect the children in your community. Complete the training today!
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CLICK HERE to download the flyer to post in your agency's briefing room
Access the free course here: Child Passenger Safety Learning Portal
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  Attention Prosecutors: You are invited to attend one of two final Oral Fluid Prosecutor Seminars. Each seminar will cover an overview of oral fluid collection, crime laboratory testing procedures, and relevant Ohio Administrative Code and Department of Health rules, followed by a panel Q&A session. Prosecutors are encouraged to attend these last available sessions to stay informed on current practices. There are two opportunities to attend:
- September 29 in Blue Ash - CLICK HERE to download the flyer
- October 1 in Strongsville - CLICK HERE to download the flyer
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 and how to apply for this free training, please view the DRE Application, School Information and Requirements by clicking here.
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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). 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.
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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.
Impaired Driving & Traffic Safety (IDTS) Conference
- International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP)
- Anaheim, CA
- August 21-23, 2026
- The IDTS Conference is the largest training conference for drug recognition experts and traffic safety professionals. Conference attendees include DREs, law enforcement officers, crash investigators, supervisors/administrators, prosecutors, toxicologists, laboratory personnel, traffic safety professionals, among others.
- IACP Impaired Driving and Traffic Safety (IDTS) Conference
2026 GHSA Annual Meeting
- Minneapolis, MN
- August 29 - September 2, 2026
- This year's theme is "From Data to Action: Harnessing the Technology Revolution". The GHSA Annual Meeting provides access to the nation's top roadway safety, government, business, nonprofit and community leaders across a range of educational and social events.
- Register to attend at https://www.ghsameeting.org/
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2026 Law Enforcement Training Symposium (LETS)
- Ohio Attorney General & Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission
- Sandusky, OH
- September 13-15, 2026
- Attend a variety of workshops approved for continuing professional training (CPT) and continuing legal education (CLE) credits, a career fair, and debriefings of three high-profile criminal incidents.
- Registration open at https://ohioattorneygeneral.regfox.com/2026-lets
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Youth Transportation Safety Summit
- Texas A&M Transportation Institute
- San Antonio, TX
- November 20, 2026
- Attendees will gain valuable insights and knowledge on trends, strategies, and practical tools for developing outreach to effectively educate youth on navigating the roads safely and responsibly. This event provides a platform for attendees to connect with peers, traffic safety professionals, and youth leaders.
- Youth Transportation Safety Summit
OTSO will pay your agency to talk to students about seat belt safety
 With the understanding that wearing a seat belt is the simplest step anyone can take to limit injuries or even survive a crash, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) partners with the Ohio State University for a statewide elementary school seat belt program called “Buckle Up with Brutus”. This program is aimed at 2nd & 3rd graders and designed to be delivered by law enforcement, a school resource officer, school personnel, or a public health professional. It is a fun, interactive way to promote safe choices!
Students will learn about:
- The importance of wearing a seat belt
- Proper use of a booster seat
- Strategies for being a good passenger
OTSO provides all the content plus free materials to supplement curriculum activities, including worksheets, and a video of Brutus’ Seat Belt Boogie to deliver the safety lesson in schools. OTSO reimburses presenters $300 per class, which the school or agency can use to support traffic safety programs in their community.
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This program is designed for 2nd and 3rd graders, as most children in this age group are still under the recommended height of 4'9" needed to safely transition from a booster seat to using only a 3‑point lap-and-shoulder belt in a vehicle.
Presenters are encouraged to customize their presentations, and lead students in a variety of activities: egg crash (photo, right), height measurement, and Seat Belt Boogie.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I get started in presenting the program?
- Training to present the program is not required but is recommended.
- Visit the Buckle Up with Brutus page on OTSO's website to download the facilitation guide and build your presentation.
- E-mail us with your questions or schedule a virtual training at buckleup@dps.ohio.gov
How much time does a presentation take?
- Presenting "Buckle Up with Brutus" to students takes about 45 minutes.
- This presentation can be done in a classroom environment, or two classrooms can be combined for one presentation in a larger space.
Can I get reimbursed for this presentation?
- Yes! OTSO will reimburse public agencies for the presenter's time, and to cover the cost of presentation materials.
- Agencies will be reimbursed $300 per class with a maximum of $15,000 per agency
- Materials and Reimbursement requests will be available again beginning August 10, 2026.
- The reimbursement funds can be used at your discretion although we encourage you to use these funds pay for another traffic safety initiative or safety programming at your school. (Buckle Up with Brutus Day, Safety Town, Bicycle Rodeos, Walk/Bike to School programs, Mock Crashes, Safe Routes to School, etc.)
Step by Step:
- Beginning August 10, fill out the materials form on the materials request page. OTSO will send you tape measures and flashing reflector keychains for each student. (Allow up to 30 days for shipment)
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Download the curriculum and present the program!
- Fill out the online reimbursement form - you must submit a class roster (or other documentation) signed by the teacher with the number of students who received the program in order to be paid.
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(Optional) Send completed student surveys, share photos or videos via e-mail buckleup@dps.ohio.gov
During the 2025-2026 school year, Ohio school resource officers delivered the Buckle Up with Brutus lessons to more than 11,500 Ohio students!
- Presentations in 118 different schools across 47 counties
- Over $150,000 in reimbursements to public agencies
Testimonials from Presenters:
- “As the DARE Officer for Shelby County it is really nice to go into the second grade classrooms and meet my future DARE students. I think that the Buckle Up with Brutus program is exceptional for kids to hear. If only one student decides to wear their seatbelt and it saves their life, that makes it all worth it. I am very passionate about safety and so many children are not being taught lessons by their parents that they should be. This is an excellent program and I am very grateful to be a part of it. The reimbursement offered for teaching the program is a huge support to my DARE program.” – Deputy Samantha Pierce, Shelby County Sheriff’s Office
- “I truly enjoy this program because it teaches elementary-aged students how to stay safe in a car. I’m also a car seat technician, so this program allows me to combine something fun for the kids with my experience as a CPST. I have three kids of my own, and they know the Brutus song by heart! Thank you very much for making this program!” – Deputy Stephanie Herrington, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office
- “I really enjoyed the program, it was so easy to get up and running and so much fun to present. I was able to meet each classroom in 2nd and 3rd grade individually which really allowed time for me to interact with my students and for them to be able to ask really good questions. I didn't know it when I signed up but this program allowed me to really get to know my students more than my usual hi and bye during passing times and lunch/recess.” – School Resource Officer Scott Bennett, Moreland Hills Police Department
- “My students love the Buckle up with Brutus program! It is a great opportunity for our school resource officer to get into the classroom to work with our students. The program has sparked many great conversations with students about seat belts & booster seats, which have carried over to families!” – Principal Allison Lemaster, Crestview Local Schools
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With your support, we are expecting to reach even more students during the 2026-2027 school year.
Thank you for taking an active role in promoting seat belt safety and saving lives on our roadways!
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OTSO offers materials for numerous traffic safety campaigns, including impaired driving, restraint usage, distracted driving, speeding and motorcycles. Utilizing these free materials can make an impact that can reach beyond your community.
CLICK HERE to order online!
Outdated forms sent via fax or e-mail will still be accepted, but this online link will be updated when new materials are added to our inventory. More items coming soon!
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