Safe Communities releases October traffic fatality report
In the month of October, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported a total of 164 motor vehicle crashes investigated in Wayne County. Of the 164 crashes investigated last month, Wayne County experienced one fatality. So far this year, Wayne County has experienced 1,575 crashes, resulting in seven fatalities.
“By looking at crash statistics from this past month, we know that 25% of crashes were a result of drivers failing to yield, and 14% of crashes involved drivers who were not wearing a seat belt,” said Olivia Troyer, Safe Communities coordinator for the Wayne County Health Department. “Safe Communities’ top priorities are to decrease distracted and impaired driving and increase seat-belt usage through continued education and enforcement throughout the county.”
Led by Troyer, 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 Troyer at 330-264-9590 or otroyer@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/.
