Safe Communities reports two traffic fatalities in Wayne County in November

In November the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported 167 motor vehicle crashes investigated in Wayne County. Of those 167 crashes investigated, Wayne County experienced two fatalities, with one fatality that involved a vehicle and failure to stop.

“Wayne County has experienced 1,921 crashes to date this year, with 348 involving failure to yield and 76 involving failure to stop," said Hope Griffin, Safe Communities coordinator for the Wayne County Health Department. "In the month of November, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported eight crashes that involved failure to stop for a stop sign or red light, with one fatality. Other details regarding the crash remain under investigation at this time."

Safe Communities’ top priority is to eliminate deaths and reduce serious injuries caused by unsafe driving habits including failure to stop at stop signs/red lights, distracted driving and impaired driving through continued education and enforcement throughout Wayne County.

Led by the Safe Communities coordinator at the Wayne County Health Department, the Safe Communities Coalition conducts traffic safety media campaigns, coordinates community events and activities, and distributes educational materials to increase traffic safety awareness and help prevent fatal traffic crashes and injuries 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 call or email Griffin at 330-264-9590 or hgriffin@wayne-health.org.

Safe Communities' efforts are funded by a grant from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office. For more information about OTSO and statewide efforts to improve safety on Ohio’s roadways, visit www.otso.ohio.gov/.