LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — As warmer weather brings more motorcycles to local roadways, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging drivers to stay alert and take extra precautions at intersections.
According to the agency’s crash dashboard, Ohio recorded more than 3,600 motorcycle-related crashes in 2025, including 191 fatalities. Several of those deadly crashes occurred in the region, with Auglaize County reporting three fatal motorcycle crashes, while Allen and Hancock counties each recorded two. Hardin, Logan and Mercer counties each reported one fatal crash.
Troopers say one of the simplest ways to prevent crashes is for drivers to slow down and double-check for motorcycles before proceeding through intersections.
“It's one of those things where, if you look right and you look for like two seconds, and then you didn't look back left again, take a chance on on missing somebody on bike, and also a motorcycle only takes up a small portion of an actual lane, and so it's easy to miss them, especially, especially if you're looking around a hill, a sign or vehicle,” says Nick Boes of the Lima Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol.
Boes added that motorcyclists also share responsibility for safety, noting that riders have limited protection in a crash. He encourages them to remain alert, watch for speeding vehicles and be cautious around intersections and stop signs.
