January 2004

Colonel Paul McClellan
Superintendent
Ohio State Highway Patrol

Never before in the history of the Ohio State Highway Patrol have we been forced to deal with as much change as we are right now. When you look at technology, homeland security, and challenging economic times – the Patrol is in uncharted territory. As of January 1, we are also throwing into that a major shift in the emphasis of the Patrol.

All facets of highway safety are being confronted with major dynamic changes in law enforcement. The organizations that will succeed will be the ones that adapt to this change and make the changes work for their organization in order to make a difference.

The Patrol is adopting a goal of a fatality rate of one per 100 million vehicle miles traveled in the state of Ohio by 2008 to address these changes. In 2002 there were 1,417 fatalities on Ohio’s roads, in order to meet this aggressive goal, the fatality rate needs to be reduced to 1,120 – or 297 lives.

The goal of one fatality per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by 2008 is a strategy that is being developed nationally with the United States Department of Transportation. Ohio is a major player in the national picture of changing highway safety in the entire country.

The Patrol is looking to meet this goal through three targeted key points: evaluation, education, and enforcement.

• Evaluation - Each of the Patrol’s 56 posts must evaluate where crashes are occurring, what types of crashes are occurring, and what action needs to be taken to prevent these crashes in their areas.
• Education - The Patrol’s public education efforts will continue, but with a focus on the individual needs of each community across the state.
• Enforcement - Enforcement will be more focused as each Patrol post evaluates its community’s needs. When troopers head out on the roads, they will know exactly when and where they need to be to reduce fatalities.

The thing that gives me confidence that the Patrol can meet this goal, is looking back at the number of traffic fatalities 30 years ago. At that time, there were no air bags, people were not wearing their safety belts, and highway designs were different. Additionally, we have tremendous response to our crashes now from the emergency medical community, which makes a large impact on saving lives. When we look at what’s happened over the last 30 years and where we are right now - now is the time adapt to change and push forward to meet the aggressive goal of reducing fatalities on Ohio’s roadways.

It’s about safety!