BOWLING GREEN (Wednesday, August 24, 2016) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) and The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) continue their safety initiative to bring awareness to the high number of traffic deaths.
ODOT District Two will share these statistics with our media partners when they are released every other week.
The fatality number and message have been updated below:
As of this week, Ohio has recorded 714 traffic deaths in 2016. This is a 2.5% increase compared to 2015. Preliminary data shows an increase nationally, as well.
Beginning Saturday, ODOT will join a 10-day (Aug 27 – Sept 5), nationwide campaign that will focus on drunk driving prevention and include targeted DUI/OVI enforcement. Last year, about 31% of all traffic deaths in Ohio involved alcohol. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says alcohol use by drivers continues to decline nationwide thanks to stronger laws and intensive enforcement. But, we continue to lose far too many people each year to this preventable death.
Click Here for more info: http://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/LaborDayWeekend
By this Saturday, ODOT Freeway Message Signs will read:
Panel 1:
ALCOHOL RELATED
TRAFFIC DEATHS
THIS YEAR: 214
Panel 2:
DRIVE SOBER
OR GET
PULLED OVER
Portable Message Signs will read:
Panel 1:
ALCOHOL
DEATHS
214
Panel 2:
DRIVE
SOBER
Be safe, and give driving your full attention this week.
For more information contact:
The District Two Public Information Office at (419) 373-4428
or email [email protected]