We are rounding out one of the busiest travel weekends of the summer and the Ohio State Highway Patrol wants to remind you to continue practicing safe driving.
September was designated as "Safe Driving Awareness Month" in Ohio back in June of 2014 to honor the victims of motor vehicle crashes. Troopers are using it to encourage drivers to commit to driving buckled, focused and sober. From 2012 to 2016, an average of 290,000 motor vehicle accidents were reported in Ohio each year. In those accidents, more that 1,000 people were killed and more than 105,000 were injured each year.
In 2016 alone, 1,133 people were killed in more than 1,000 fatal motor vehicle accidents, a 2% increase in both crashes and deaths over 2015. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is strongly encouraging drivers to avoid distracted and drunk driving, but there's something else you can do to create safer roads.
“A lot of the crashes that we tend to see are either speed related or failure to yield violations, which is running a stop sign or pulling out in front of traffic without adequate time,” says Lt. David Brown, Commander of the Lima Post. “A lot of those simple crashes that we handle can be prevented if people leave their house about five minutes early, not to be rushed while they are driving, not to be impatient while they are driving. Really take that time to be a defensive driver, take time getting where you need to be, and budget your time accordingly. “
A few other things that the patrol suggests are keeping your eyes moving, leaving yourself an out when you make a passing move, and make sure others see you.
