Ohio Department of Public Safety
1970 W. Broad Street • Columbus, Ohio 43223

Ohio Department of Transportation
1980 W. Broad Street • Columbus, Ohio 43223

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OhioSafe Commute reports no major crashes in commute corridors

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT), Ohio Department of Public Safety, Ohio State Highway Patrol, and law enforcement partners are reporting that during the first 30 days of OhioSafe Commute in Central Ohio there were no major injury or fatal crashes in any of the corridors during rush hour or other hours when OhioSafe Commute was in operation.

OhioSafe Commute corridors also experienced no major backups during rush hour. Law enforcement officers are planning to shift some personnel to other operations, including Interstate 270 south, during a 60-day evaluation period, beginning January 1.

“We set out to make the rush-hour commute safer and easier -- and that's exactly what we have accomplished through OhioSafe Commute,” said Director Kenneth L. Morckel of the Ohio Department of Public Safety. “This program is already showing encouraging results in reducing preventable tragedies and improving safety at high-crash locations throughout Central Ohio.”

“The Patrol is dedicated to keeping Ohio's roads safe and to getting the message out that the participation of all drivers in Ohio is crucial in making our roadways safe,” Colonel Paul McClellan, Patrol superintendent, said.

“The goal of OhioSafe Commute is to reduce the number of injuries and deaths on our highways,” said ODOT Director Gordon Proctor. “Stepping up enforcement efforts will help to slow down aggressive drivers, prevent crashes, clear traffic, and save lives.”

OhioSafe Commute places resources along the busiest highways during peak hours. When crashes occur, officers and a tow truck will respond quickly to clear the crash scene. Drivers involved in minor crashes will be directed off the highway to complete crash reports. In addition, officers will patrol these corridors to enforce the speed limit and look for aggressive drivers.

OhioSafe Commute started on November 10 and targets five high-crash locations in Columbus:

• Interstate 70 from Children's Hospital to Interstate 270
• Interstate 71 from 17th Avenue to State Route 161
• Interstate 270 from SR 161 to U.S. Route 23 (northwest)
• Interstate 70/71 "split" from State Route 315 to Fifth Avenue
• State Route 315 from Lane Avenue to Interstate 270

Combined, these areas have accounted for more than 4,200 crashes each year. The most common cause of crashes was excessive speed and failure to control. A recent study concluded that 26 percent of motorists were traveling at speeds of 75 mph or greater. Each year, there are approximately 380,000 crashes that kill 1,500 people and injure 198,000 people in Ohio.

The program, which may eventually be expanded statewide, is funded by the Governor's Jobs and Progress Plan through the Department of Transportation. The Plan calls for increasing the amount of money ODOT spends on high-crash locations from $35 million to $65 million annually.

More than a dozen new signs are being posted across Columbus to dispel a myth that contributes to crashes each year. The “Fender Bender? Drive Damaged Vehicles to Shoulder” signs are being posted by the Ohio Department of Transportation and the City of Columbus to encourage motorists to move minor crashes off the road.

“Historically, motorists have been taught to wait for law enforcement before moving a crash vehicle, which they obey for fear of violating the law or jeopardizing their insurance coverage,” ODOT Director Proctor said. “In reality, there is no such legal requirement. Urban freeways are dangerous and the shoulder is a far safer place to exchange information.”

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03-292

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