In May, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported one traffic
fatality.
“The driver of the vehicle was driving while under the influence
of alcohol and did not use the seatbelt,” said Hope Griffin, Safe Communities coordinator
for the Wayne County Health Department. “One of Safe Communities’ top
priorities is to increase seat belt usage in Wayne County. Another priority is
to reduce driving while impaired with alcohol and other substances. We address these priorities through continued
education and enforcement and to reduce deaths and serious injuries caused by
not wearing seatbelts or driving impaired.”
The Safe Communities program in Wayne County will be on hand to
kick off its Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign at the Wooster Pizza Hut, located
at 1831 Beall St. in Wooster, Cruise N Dine event on Tuesday, Aug. 19 at 5 p.m.
Griffin and local law enforcement from the Wooster Police
Department, Ohio State Highway Patrol and the Sheriff’s Department will be on
hand to provide education to attendees on operating a motor vehicle safely. There
will be interactive activities to simulate driving under the influence of
alcohol and changes in reaction response times with the use of goggles and
glasses, as well as the spinning wheel of fate Q-&-A.
Anyone with questions regarding programming or services
offered by the Wayne County Safe Communities project can contact 330-264-9590
or hgriffin@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/.
