January 3, 2025, press release from the Ohio Department of Public Safety: COLUMBUS — Ahead of the forecasted snowy and icy weather conditions over the next several days, the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) is encouraging all Ohio drivers to pay attention to local weather alerts and avoid driving in inclement weather unless necessary. Thousands of crashes occur each year in Ohio due to dangerous winter weather conditions, resulting in serious injuries and fatalities.
December 16, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Public Safety: COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced today that the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) has awarded over $24 million for statewide programming to improve traffic safety and reduce traffic-related fatalities. A total of 189 grants were awarded with 159 grants going toward 145 different local agencies in 63 counties, and 30 grants going toward statewide initiatives. All grants support the efforts of safety partners statewide and focus on traffic safety priority areas, including impaired driving, seat belt usage, speeding, distracted driving, youthful driving, and motorcycle safety. The traffic safety grant funds were directed to OTSO from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
December 2, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Public Safety: COLUMBUS — As part of Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (December 2-6, 2024) –Governor Mike DeWine, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), and the Ohio Department of Aging (ODA) are reminding Ohioans about programs available to prevent serious injuries and fatalities among Ohio’s older drivers. People aged 65 and older make up the fastest-growing segment of drivers nationally and in Ohio. According to crash data from ODOT, older road users make up 23% of all traffic fatalities in the last three years and by 2030, the state will have more than 4.8 million residents who are 65 and older. “Safety is our number one priority for anyone who travels on Ohio’s roads,” said Governor DeWine. “Driving is a great way to maintain independence, and we hope older Ohioans and their loved ones reacquaint themselves with safe driving tips, especially during Older Driver Safety Awareness Week.” This year’s theme for Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (ODSAW) is “Understand, Be Proactive, Plan”, stressing the importance of everyone working together to support older Ohioans driving as long as possible, and as safe as possible.
November 1, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, Ohio Department of Public Safety: (COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of the Ohio Department of Public Safety, is reminding drivers about some driving hazards that can lead to crashes when Daylight Saving Time ends. For the last three years, Ohio saw an average 15.7% increase in total crashes from September to November. Drowsy Driving: The first full week in November after Daylight Saving Time ends is the National Sleep Foundation’s Drowsy Driving Prevention Week. This is because, even though people get an extra hour of sleep the night Daylight Saving Time ends, on Sunday, Nov. 3 this year, sleep patterns are altered, which can lead to drowsy driving.
The State of Ohio is providing money to build two more roundabouts in Allen County to make those intersections safer. Governor Mike DeWine awarded $63 million to 19 roundabout projects or cable barrier projects statewide. The Ohio Department of Transportation will be looking to build a single-lane roundabout at the intersection of State Route 501 and Fort Amanda Road. They were awarded $3.5 million for the project that is expected to start in 2029.
October 21, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Transportation: COLUMBUS – Since 2009, pedestrian deaths have been on the rise, hitting an all-time high in 2021 with 176 people killed. However, Ohio has recorded a steady decline of 6% in 2022 and 9% in 2023 with 165 and 150 pedestrian deaths, respectively. Through August, pedestrian deaths this year were also down 17% to 84. Of 150 pedestrian deaths in Ohio last year, 103 occurred after dark. So far this year, there have been 84 pedestrian deaths, 73 of which occurred during dusk, dawn, or nighttime conditions.
October 1, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Public Safety: COLUMBUS — The Ohio School Safety Center (OSSC) and Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), both divisions of The Ohio Department of Public Safety, are encouraging all high schools to participate in the Game of the Week Quick Click Challenge during the month of October. The challenge is one of the activities for the state’s “Safe Streets Safe Schools” campaign which aims to help students stay safe before, during, and after school, whether in the halls, classrooms, or their cars.
September 20, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Public Safety: (COLUMBUS, Ohio) – National Child Passenger Safety Week is September 15-21, 2024 and The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) is reminding parents and caregivers that children are best protected in a crash when they are buckled correctly in the right seats for their ages and sizes. This week, OTSO visited Richardson Elementary school in Cuyahoga Falls to observe the new “Buckle Up with Brutus” safety education program created for second and third grade students. The program aims to educate students and families about the importance of wearing a seat belt and using a booster seat.
July 22, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol: (COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) and the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) are partnering at a free event where teen drivers can practice crash avoidance techniques and gain the experience necessary to become safer drivers. OTSO’s Advanced Driver Training Summer Series allows students to practice skid recovery, anti-lock braking system (ABS) exercises and other skills with a licensed instructor on a closed course. These specially designed classes address the leading causes of teen crashes in Ohio which include failure to control, failure to yield, and unsafe speed. Instructors from Ohio-based DriveTeam will provide the training at Lima Senior High School on Aug. 7 and 8. Newly licensed drivers or teens with a valid temporary permit are welcome to participate in one of these free sessions. OSHP will be there to provide a presentation on the importance of safe driving at the beginning of each session.
July 11, 2024, Press Release from the Ohio Department of Public Safety: (COLUMBUS, Ohio) – The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), a division of The Ohio Department of Public Safety, announced today new educational resources are now available for diverse communities in Ohio to help English Language Learners become licensed drivers. The curriculum and train-the-trainer program is intended to help non-English speakers learn safe driving practices and prepare for the written and driving tests at the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV). It includes information on the requirements for obtaining a driver license in Ohio, the meanings of traffic signs and signals, and other basic traffic safety laws.
