COLUMBUS, Ohio (WLIO) — Traffic fatalities in Ohio have declined for the fourth consecutive year, according to preliminary data released by state officials.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Ohio Department of Transportation and Gov. Mike DeWine said 1,125 traffic deaths were recorded in 2025, representing a 3% decrease from 2024.
Nearly one-quarter of fatal crashes involved vehicles leaving the roadway. Other leading contributing factors included failure to yield the right of way, unsafe speeds and driving left of center, according to state statistics.
Failure to wear a seat belt remains a major factor in deadly crashes. Data shows that 62% of those killed in traffic crashes between 2021 and 2025 were not wearing a seat belt.
Media release from Gov. Mike DeWine’s Office
Traffic Fatalities Decrease for Fourth Consecutive Year
(COLUMBUS, Ohio)— Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Charles Jones, and Ohio Department of Transportation Director Pamela Boratyn announced today that traffic fatalities have decreased in Ohio for the fourth consecutive year.
According to preliminary data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), the number of traffic fatalities in 2025 dropped approximately 3% in Ohio as compared to 2024, a difference of 32 lives. This decrease continues the downward trend in traffic fatalities that began in 2022, representing 231 lives saved across four years.
"The fact that more people have made it home to their families the past four years is certainly worth celebrating, but make no mistake -- the number of people killed on Ohio's roads remains far too high," said Governor DeWine. "Everyone has a role in making our roads safer, and we all have more work to do."
According to OSHP statistics, 23% of fatal crashes in 2025 were the result of driving off the roadway. In addition, failure to yield the right of way, unsafe speed, driving left of center, following too closely, and running a stop sign were the next top reasons for fatal crashes statewide. Although distracted driving is underreported, it is also believed to be a significant contributing factor to crashes overall.
Failure to wear a seatbelt also remains a major factor in traffic deaths. In crashes involving vehicles outfitted with seatbelts, nearly 62% of individuals killed from 2021 to 2025 chose not to wear a safety belt, equating to nearly 2,500 people.
“Oftentimes, fatal crashes are a preventable tragedy, so some of these people would very likely still be here today had they buckled up,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Wearing a seatbelt is just as important as slowing down, staying alert, and obeying the law.”
Throughout the DeWine Administration, Governor DeWine has prioritized traffic safety with a comprehensive approach that emphasizes changing the culture around distracted driving, enhancing physical road safety, and ensuring new drivers receive high-quality training.
The Ohio Department of Transportation's (ODOT) Highway Safety Improvement Program is now the largest highway safety program in the nation per capita, funding construction projects that improve safety at top crash locations.
“Four straight years of declining traffic deaths is more than just a statistic; it represents hundreds of lives saved,” said ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn. “From major intersection reconstructions to improved technology and signage, our strategic focus on high-crash locations is making a measurable difference. We are proud of this progress, which shows that our safety programs are working to make Ohio's roads safer for everyone who uses them.”
Governor DeWine has also been a strong advocate against distracted driving. In 2023, he signed Senate Bill 288, which now prohibits all drivers, in most circumstances, from using or holding a cell phone or electronic device while driving. In the two years since enforcement of Ohio's primary distracted driving law began on October 5, 2023, traffic fatalities have dropped 11%, a difference of 280 lives, when compared to the two years before enforcement began.
According to the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), inexperience is the top reason why new drivers crash. Governor DeWine pushed for stronger driver training laws in Ohio, leading to a new requirement that all drivers aged 16 to 20 receive driver training before they can test for a driver's license. Governor DeWine also launched OTSO's Drive to Succeed scholarship program in 2022 to support teenage drivers whose families cannot otherwise afford the cost of a driving school. To date, more than 6,000 students have received scholarships to cover the fees for the training required to get a license.
“When teens learn safe driving skills early, those habits become second nature,” said Emily Davidson, director of OTSO. “These behaviors don’t just help them pass a driving test – they set the foundation for a lifetime of responsible driving. Programs like Drive to Succeed ensure that every young driver has the tools to make smart choices behind the wheel, which ultimately saves lives.”
