TrafficWise - August 5, 2019

Ohio State Highway Patrol sent this bulletin at 08/05/2019 12:26 PM EDT

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August 5, 2019

FATAL CRASHES 2019 YEAR TO DATE MAP can be found here.

FATAL COMPARISON MAP can be found here.

Ohio's Seat Belt rate for 2018 was 84.92%

Remember it's not just a number, it's lives being saved.

Ohio law prohibits people of all ages from operating a vehicle in the following manners:

• While under the influence of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or both; or

• With a prohibited concentration of alcohol, a drug of abuse, or a metabolite of that drug.

Ohio launches first wrong-way driver detector corridor

23 highway ramps in Cincinnati will be outfitted with 92 electronic signs

From a ODOT News Release - July 24, 2019

COLUMBUS – Ohio Governor Mike DeWine and Ohio Department of Transportation Director Jack Marchbanks announced today that a first-of-its-kind system to detect and deter wrong-way drivers in Ohio is being installed along an 18-mile stretch of I-71 in Hamilton County. It includes 92 electronic signs and 82 detection devices at 23 locations from downtown Cincinnati to Fields-Ertel Road.

When the system is activated, LED lights around the edge of several "wrong way" and "do not enter" signs begin blinking. An alert is also sent to the Ohio Department of Transportation Traffic Management Center in Columbus.

“Although wrong-way crashes are rare, they are often deadly, and I believe that investing in this new technology will reduce the number of drivers traveling the wrong way on our interstates, prevent crashes, and save lives,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Improving our roadways to enhance driver safety is essential for improving the quality of life for people who live, work, and travel in our state, and this project is an important step forward for Ohio.”

While wrong way crashes made up only 0.01 percent of all crashes in Ohio last year, they are 40 times more likely to be deadly.

"This section of I-71 was selected using criteria that includes 911 calls, wrong-way and alcohol crashes, the number of alcohol establishments located within close proximity, and ramp traffic volumes," said ODOT Director Jack Marchbanks.

This is the first time these detection devices have been installed as a system in the state of Ohio. Two other stand-alone devices, one on the exit from westbound I-670 to Neil Avenue in Columbus and the other on the exit from westbound SR-2 to West 28th Street in Cleveland, have been pilot tested with positive results.

"Not only do these devices add another layer to alert drivers that they're driving in the wrong direction, they allow us to capture data about where these drivers are trying to enter our highways," Marchbanks said.

ODOT has been targeting highway ramps in 17 Ohio counties: Cuyahoga, Belmont, Franklin, Greene, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lake, Licking, Lorain, Lucas, Mahoning, Montgomery, Richland, Stark, Trumbull, and Wood with additional signage, reflectivity, and striping. Over the past decade, 82 percent of the wrong way crashes in Ohio have occurred in these counties. These counties also include a high number of highway interchanges.

THE OHIO TRAFFIC SAFETY OFFICE WELCOMES

LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISON MIKE GORE

Hello,

My name is Michael Gore. I retired last August from The Ohio State Highway Patrol after 32 years of service to the citizens of Ohio. I spent all of my career in southern Ohio, commanding the Ironton and Portsmouth Posts before retiring. I am originally from Rutland Ohio, which is in Meigs County. I am looking forward to being the LEL for the Southeast region. I hope to continue to foster cooperation between our law enforcement and civilian partners to achieve safer communities and safer roads.

Mike can be contacted at (740) 646-5173 or by email at: OHP658@yahoo.com

STATE FARM - SURVEY RESULTS

Are we 'driving dumber' in smarter cars? Drivers with advanced safety tech are taking more risks!

State Farm recently conducted an online survey and found that Americans who drive vehicles with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) or Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), both advanced driver assist features, admit to using their smart phones while driving at significantly higher rates than those without the latest tech. Drivers with advanced safety tech in their vehicles are taking more risks

The State Farm survey shows the following behaviors in people driving smarter cars vs cars without these advance features .

Read or sent messages while driving - 62% of people with Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) or Lane Keeping Assist (LKA), vs. 49% and 51% without those features.
Interacting with cell phone apps - 56% and 54% with ACC and LKA vs 42% and 44% without them
Holding phone while talking in the car - 60% and 63% with ACC and LKA vs 50% and 51% without them.
Manually entering a phone number - 52% and 56% with ACC and LKA vs 38% without them. Drivers still need to stay engaged when behind the wheel. This type of advanced safety technology is there to assist the driver, not replace the driver.

Here are some tips to be as smart as your smart car while you drive:

DO NOT:

Read or send text messages or emails.
Talk on the phone unless its connected to the car audio
Take selfies or film videos
Enter destinations into GPS while the car is moving

PLEASE DO:

Pull over and park in a safe location if it is necessary to use your phone.
Set your phone to send an automatic reply while you are driving.
Ask your passenger to make a call or text for you.
Nothing that takes your attention away from your number one task -- driving safe.

To view the State Farm survey results click here: https://newsroom.statefarm.com/distracted-driving-advanced-tech?cmpid=PArel071519ddadas

Benjamin Justice, Public Affairs Specialist

State Farm - benjamin.justice.tyo2@statefarm.com

2019 DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER

AUGUST 16 – SEPTEMBER 2, 2019

Fact Sheet

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is joining forces with law enforcement nationwide during the 2019 Labor Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over high-visibility enforcement campaign, which runs from August 14 through September 2, 2019. (Enforcement from August 16 - September 2) The enforcement campaign coincides with the 2019 Labor Day holiday weekend, which is one of the deadliest times of the year in terms of drunk-driving fatalities. With NHTSA’s support, state and local law enforcement agencies across the nation are stepping-up enforcement to put an end to drunk driving, showing zero tolerance to save lives.

Sobering Statistics

Approximately one-third of all traffic crash fatalities in the United States involve drunk drivers (with blood alcohol concentrations [BACs] of .08 of higher). In 2017, there were 10,874 people killed in drunk-driving crashes. To put it in perspective, that’s equal to about 20 jumbo jets crashing, with no survivors.
It is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher in all 50 states and the District of Columbia—no exceptions.
Of the traffic fatalities in 2017 among children 14 and younger, 19 percent occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.
Despite the fact that it’s illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher, in 2017 one person was killed every 48 minutes by a drunk driver on our nation’s roads.
Men are more likely than women to be driving drunk in fatal crashes. In 2017, 21 percent of males were drunk in these crashes, compared to 14 percent of females.
In 2017, motorcycle riders involved (killed and survived) in fatal crashes had higher percentages of alcohol impairment than any other type of motor vehicle driver (27% for motorcycle riders, 21% for passenger cars, 20% for light-truck drivers, and 3% for drivers of large trucks).
Drug-impaired driving is an increasing problem on our nation’s roads. It is illegal to drive while impaired by drugs, period. It’s essential for drivers to understand: If You Feel Different, You Drive Different. Drive High, Get a DUI. Driving while impaired by any substance is deadly and illegal.

To view the campaign materials click here.

Note: campaign materials included in this mobilization are:

Drive High - Get a DUI.
Peak Enforcement Kit.
Ride Sober or Get Pulled Over (Motorcyclist)

OHIO SAFE COMMUNITIES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

GEAR UP FOR DRIVE SOBER OR GET PULLED OVER

As part of each Safe Communities grant, grantees are required to conduct a "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" kick-off event. These events are held in their county and can take place up to a week before to a week after the beginning of the mobilization.

These events include at a minimum, participation by coalition members, local law enforcement, community leaders and the media.

Ohio has been fortunate to have such a wide variety of innovative and exciting events that continue to spread the importance of combating impaired driving with the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" messaging. Each partner critical for the success of the mobilization.

To view a summary of the 2019 Ohio Safe Communities Kick-off events throughout Ohio for the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" mobilization, click here.

TWO FREE TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE

Summit County Sheriff's Office Training Bureau

2825 Greensburg Road, North Canton, Ohio 44720

Wednesday, August 28, 2019, 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Summit Park - North Tower Room

4335 Glendale-Milford Drive., Blue Ash, Ohio 45242

Friday, August 30, 2019, 8:45 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The goal of this course is to enable prosecutors and toxicologists to prepare together to effectively communicate and introduce toxicology evidence in impaired driving cases. The course includes an overview of the lifecycle of toxicology sample, describing lab testing procedures, different types of testing, and quality control and assurance; the roles of the prosecutor, toxicologist and law enforcement, the language of the profession, language pitfalls, and translating technical language into layman’s terms; discusses courtroom preparation documents, pretrial motions, questions to ask and what to expect, and proper courtroom procedures; and describes common defense tactics, methods of timing and appropriate objections, methods to anticipate defenses, use and misuse of publications, and identifying prior transcripts to impeach. This course has been approved by the Supreme Court of Ohio Commission on Continuing Legal Education for 6.25 total CLE hours instruction. The course is funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is free to participants.

REGISTRATION: Email Robert Wakefield at rwake@dps.ohio.gov by August 5, 2019.

PLEASE DO NOT DELAY…. WE ANTICIPATE A GOOD RESPONSE TO BOTH SESSIONS. SPACE IS LIMITED TO 30 FOR EACH SESSION.

Please contact Holly Reese, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor at hreesetsrp@ gmail.com or (330)904-8971 with any questions.

PUBLIC SAFETY LEADERSHIP ACADEMY

March 23 through June 5, 2020

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has partnered with The Ohio State University – John Glenn College of Public Affairs to offer innovative training, titled, the "Public Safety Leadership Academy," to qualified police executives at the Highway Patrol Training Academy on March 23, through June 5, 2020.

The course which will focus on:

Developing leadership and management skills;
Understanding leadership styles through self-assessments;
Sharpening problem solving and planning skills;
Improving communication skills, including verbal and non-verbal communication in one-on-one and group settings, formal presentations and written communication;
Developing conceptual and research skills;
Developing and improving the knowledge and skills necessary to manage and direct any division within a law enforcement agency.

The course curriculum will be divided into the following units, Leadership, Interpersonal, and Organizational Communication, Fundamentals of Public Management, Organizational Culture and Ethics, Human Resource Management, Budgeting, Organizational Behavior in Law Enforcement. In addition, students will be required to complete a capstone project that focuses on real-life cases.

During the course, the Patrol will host enrichment seminars. These executive level development seminars will provide students with additional education and training in law enforcement that are relevant in today’s society. Distinguished speakers from the government and private sector will present a variety of different subjects, including: leadership lessons learned while under adverse conditions, inspiration and courage, and stress management.

For additional instruction focusing on leadership, students will visit Washington D.C. during the month of May. There students will attend the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum law enforcement course and visit other important sites that have helped shape our Nation’s leaders.

Upon successful completion of the course, students will receive 10 semester hours of academic credit, along with a certificate in Senior Leadership through The Ohio State University – John Glenn School of Public Affairs. Grad credits may be offered, pending OSU graduate school approval.

Your agency is invited to nominate an executive officer to attend this course. The following materials; the course application form, and course nomination form, need to be submitted to Tanya Benner by January 3, 2020, at tbenner@dps.ohio.gov. The forms can be found on the Patrol’s Training website at https://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/training-psla.aspx.

Please direct questions and/or concerns to Tanya Benner at 614 752 4152.

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, upcoming training dates and how to apply for this free training, please view the DRE Application, School Information and upcoming classes by clicking here.

Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE)

ARIDE Classes are being offered free of charge through the Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy

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). Law enforcement officers will learn to observe, identify and articulate the signs of impairment related to drugs, alcohol, or a combination of both, in order to reduce the number of impaired driving crashes.

For upcoming classes and how to register click here.

OHIO LAW ENFORCEMENT LIAISONS

A CRITICAL PARTNER

FOR TRAFFIC SAFETY

The goal of the Law Enforcement Liaison (LEL) Program is to enhance all aspects of OTSO’s relationship with Ohio’s law enforcement agencies. The LEL Program consists of a state LEL Coordinator and four field LELs who are placed geographically throughout Ohio. The LELs’ primary roles are to:

Seek commitments from agencies to participate in the national mobilizations;
Increase participation in the mobilizations to more than 470 agencies in 2020;
Increase percentage of agencies reporting in the mobilizations to 75 percent in 2020. Currently, approximately 72 percent of participating agencies are reporting;
Visit law enforcement agencies to encourage the agencies to issue citations for distracted driving, seat belt and child passenger restraint violations and take a zero tolerance approach on impaired driving and improperly licensed motorcyclists;
Educate agencies on the need for their officers to wear seat belts at all times; LELs promote the Below 100 Training to law enforcement agencies across the state;
Educate law enforcement on laws and regulations pertaining to motorcycles;
Disseminate information and materials on NHTSA programs and projects;
Disseminate information and address any traffic safety related issues that arise around the state;
Encourage accurate and timely submission of crash reports; LELs promote the new online crash reporting system to agencies that do not currently report electronically;
Assist with training for law enforcement agencies and other traffic safety funded agencies; encouraging and arranging GIS Crash Analysis Tool System (GCATS) training to help in Problem Site Identification;
Assist with the physical inspection and documentation of federally funded equipment;
Help promote the E-Citation Program;
DRE Recruitment and Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement (ARIDE training.

Do not hesitate to contact the Law Enforcement Liaison in your area listed above with questions, comments or concerns regarding traffic safety. They are here to be a resource to you.

TRAFFIC SAFETY MATERIALS

With the "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" National Mobilization focusing on impaired driving starting soon, materials are available free to your agency or coalition to assist in increasing public awareness on this and other issues.

In our updated Traffic Safety Materials form, you'll find that we have added a "Drunk Driving, Over the Limit Under Arrest" banner (as seen above). These banners are 3'x6' and are available now.

To view the new Traffic Safety Materials form click here.

REMEMBER the OTSO offers materials for numerous traffic safety campaigns, including impaired driving, restraint usage, distracted driving, and motorcycles. Utilizing the numerous materials found here can make an impact that will reach beyond your community. By raising public awareness YOU can help save lives. The order form can be found by clicking here.