Always wear your safety belt. Obey all motor vehicle laws. Don’t drink and drive.

You have probably heard those things so many times you don’t want to be told again.

So why do those of us in law enforcement and public safety keep repeating these points?

Because over half the people killed in motor vehicle crashes in Ohio are not wearing the safety belt available to them at the time of the crash.

Because excessive speed is the leading causative factor for fatal crashes in Ohio.

Because over one-third of the fatal crashes in the United States involve alcohol.

Staying safe while in a motor vehicle is simple if you just adhere to a few basic measures.

Increased safety belt usage, decreased speeds, and eliminating impaired driving are the keys to saving lives on our roads.

There are some that still believe traffic deaths are unpreventable accidents. That is simply not the case. We know how to reduce tragedy on our roads but we need your participation in this literal life and death effort.

Highway safety strides are being made, however, and Ohio roads are becoming safer. Unique initiatives like the Patrol’s Partners for Safety effort are starting to pay dividends. The commitment to safety forged in 1998 between the Patrol, private corporations, and the citizens of Ohio demonstrates that increased safety on the roadways can be achieved through cooperative partnerships.

For example, rural traffic fatalities account for most of Ohio’s traffic deaths each year. These rural traffic fatalities in Ohio increased during 1997, reversing a three-year trend that saw fatalities decrease on Ohio roadways. Although a single traffic-related death is one too many, through the first 11 months of 1998 rural fatalities in Ohio were down over four percent as compared to the similar time period during 1997.

The successful nature of the Partners for Safety public education efforts contributed to these highway safety achievements.

As we enter a new year, I urge everyone to get involved in the safety process and take an active role in the ongoing effort to reduce needless tragedies on our roadways.

Remember, you can call the Highway Patrol toll-free at 1-800-GRAB-DUI, and cellular *DUI to report drunk drivers and drivers who continue to operate a motor vehicle despite convictions and license suspensions for impaired driving. These toll-free telephone numbers are useful tools that allow motorists to help us get dangerous drivers off the road.

Motorists are calling the numbers, and impaired drivers are being apprehended. Through the first 11 months of 1998, over 7,200 GRAB-DUI calls to Patrol posts around the state helped troopers locate and apprehend 22,682 impaired drivers.

You can stay safe while driving this winter by checking travel conditions around Ohio through the Patrol’s toll-free road and weather conditions hotline, 1-888-2-OH-ROAD. Also, remember to call the Patrol toll-free at 1-877-7-PATROL to report disabled vehicles.

Patrol troopers obviously cannot be everywhere at all times. In order to keep the roads in Ohio safe, we need your help, and I sincerely hope you will accept your responsibility.