Traffic fatalities in Tuscarawas County are down

Traffic fatalities in Tuscarawas County are down
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While traffic fatalities were reduced for the first half of this year, the second half of 2021 is off to a sad start.

                        

Safe Communities of Tuscarawas County and the Tuscarawas County Health Department reported traffic fatalities in Tuscarawas County are down for the first half of 2021; however, traffic crashes have increased.

From Jan. 1 to June 30, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reported a total of 1,084 vehicle crashes investigated in Tuscarawas County. Of the 1,084 crashes investigated, Tuscarawas County has experienced two fatal crashes with two crash fatalities, both occurring during the second quarter. During this same time period in 2020, Tuscarawas County experienced a total of 896 vehicle crash investigations with seven fatal crashes and nine crash fatalities.

While traffic fatalities were reduced for the first half of this year, the second half of 2021 is off to a sad start. The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported an additional fatal crash that occurred over this past weekend involving a motorcycle. Unfortunately, this early third quarter crash will increase the total number of fatal crashes in Tuscarawas County to three fatal crashes with three crash fatalities for 2021.

In recent years Tuscarawas County experienced a total of 11 fatal crashes with 14 fatalities in 2020, nine fatal crashes with 10 fatalities in 2019 and 11 fatal crashes with 12 fatalities in 2018, which was an improvement from 2017 when Tuscarawas County experienced a total of 19 fatal crashes with 20 fatalities.

“When we look at the fatal crash statistics in Tuscarawas County from 2017-20, we see that OVI, speed and seat-belt noncompliance were among the top contributing factors,” said Kelly Snyder, Safe Communities program coordinator for the Tuscarawas County Health Department. “Motorcycle-related fatal crashes are also among one of the top traffic-safety priorities for Tuscarawas County. So far in 2021, two of the three fatal crashes have been motorcycle-related.

“While our fatal-crash numbers have decreased in 2021, we need to remember that losing one life is still one too many. I am concerned about the number of impaired drivers on our roadways. The statistics show us that OVI enforcement has increased dramatically in 2021.”

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, there have been 183 OVI enforcement stops so far in 2021, compared to 88 OVI enforcement stops during the same time period in 2020.

The Safe Communities Coalition is funded through a grant from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office and is comprised of partners from various agencies and organizations in Tuscarawas County that help share educational messages and promote traffic safety.

“I am thankful for each partner and their commitment to traffic safety in Tuscarawas County. The success of Safe Communities’ efforts relies heavily on our partners and the different perspectives they bring to the table,” Snyder said.

Safe Communities conducts traffic-safety media campaigns, coordinates events and activities, and distributes educational materials to help prevent fatal traffic crashes and injuries from occurring in Tuscarawas County. Some events included working in many of the local high schools to educate youth about the importance of safe driving. The group also spends time educating the driving population of Tuscarawas County on impaired driving, seat-belt use, distracted driving and motorcycle awareness.

On Aug. 25 members of the Safe Communities Coalition will meet to review the traffic fatalities from the second quarter of 2021 to identify any trends or measures that can be taken to prevent future traffic fatalities in the county.

To learn more about the Safe Communities project, visit www.tchdnow.org/safe-communities.html or call 330-343-5555 ext. 182.


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