In response to a 12-percent statewide increase in fatal traffic crashes, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has announced plans to increase its presence in areas with high accident rates. Each target area will be assigned to several teams. These teams will monitor their areas in an attempt to reduce the number of crashes, especially those resulting in fatalities.
Thousands of Ohio drivers are hurt or killed in auto accidents every year. In some cases, these injuries or deaths are caused by the negligent actions of other drivers.
According to data published by the Dayton Daily News, Ohio saw 16.4 percent more traffic deaths in April 2012 compared to the same month in 2011. Similarly, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reports that 427 people have been killed in car crashes so far in 2012, not including 26 deaths that have yet to be verified. At the same time in 2011, the OSHP had recorded 389 traffic fatalities.
The OSHP says its initiative hopes to curb traffic fatalities by targeting drivers who violate traffic laws, as well as changing driver behavior by raising public awareness regarding fatal accidents in the state.
And the sad thing is that many of these deaths did not have to happen. Many times all people have to do is pay more attention to their surroundings. Being aware of your actions and how they affect other drivers on the road is a good first step toward becoming a safer driver. And avoiding accidents can keep you out of jail or from owing millions in a lawsuit because of your negligence.
Source: Dayton Daily News, "Patrol focuses on uptick in fatal crashes," Mark Govaki, June 13, 2012