In the month of November, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported a total of 146 motor vehicle crashes investigated in Wayne County. Of the 146 crashes investigated last month, Wayne County experienced two fatalities. So far this year, Wayne County has experienced 1,733 crashes, resulting in 10 fatalities.
“In the month of November, Wayne County saw 12% of crashes in the county include unbelted occupants including one unbelted fatality,” said Maggie Eby, Safe Communities coordinator for the Wayne County Health Department. “One of Safe Communities’ top priorities is to increase seat belt usage in Wayne County through continued education and enforcement and to reduce deaths and serious injuries caused by not wearing seat belts.”
Led by the Safe Communities coordinator at the Wayne County Health Department, the Safe Communities Coalition conducts traffic safety media campaigns, coordinates events and activities, and distributes educational materials to help prevent fatal traffic crashes and injuries from occurring in the county.
The coalition also focuses on educating the driving population of Wayne County about impaired driving, seat belt use, distracted driving and motorcycle awareness. The Wayne County Health Department is looking for safety and community partners to join the Safe Communities Coalition. For more information or interest in joining the coalition, call or email Eby at 330-264-9590 or meby@wayne-health.org.
Efforts of the Safe Communities Program are funded through a grant from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office. For more information about OTSO and statewide efforts to improve safety on Ohio’s roadways, visit https://otso.ohio.gov/.
