Category Archives: Safe Communities

Halloween Traffic Safety Tips

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Press Releases, RecWell, Safe Communities, Wellness Connection

Safe Communities of Wood County announced today that the annual safe driving Halloween National Mobilization is October 31 and November 12016.

Halloween means parties, and parties can encourage alcohol consumption. Because of this, Safe Communities of Wood County is partnering with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for The Halloween National Mobilization.

Plan Before You Party to Get Home Safely

You can stay safe and protect your neighbors by following these tips:

  • Plan a safe way to get home before you party because alcohol impairs judgement. You’re not going to make smart and safe choices if you’ve been drinking.
  • Designate a sober driver, call a taxi, or a call a sober friend of family member to get you home.
  • Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. There’s no such thing as “I only had a couple.” If you’ve been drinking you shouldn’t be driving.
  • If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact local law enforcement when it is safe to do so.
  • If you see someone you think is about to drive while impaired, take their keys and help them get home safely.
  • If you’re caught drinking and driving you could face jail time, the loss of your driver’s license, and pay around $10,000 due to higher insurance rates, attorney fees, court costs, car towing and repairs, and lost wages due to time off from work.
  • Some people mistakenly think they can avoid a DUI by refusing to take a breath test. In many jurisdictions a refusal to take a breath test results in the loss of your driver’s license on the spot and the impoundment of your vehicle.
  • Walking impaired can be just as dangerous as drunk driving. Designate a sober friend to walk you home. In 2013, 26 percent of all pedestrian fatalities on Halloween night involved a drunk driver.

Remember, Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving. Stay safe and protect your neighbors by making a plan to get home without getting behind the wheel on Halloween Night if you’ve been drinking.

For More Information:

October Safe Driving Initiatives

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Press Releases, RecWell, Safe Communities
Safe Communities announced today that there have been 11 fatal crashes to date compared to 13 last year at this time in Wood County.
October is a busy month for traffic safety educational efforts. The third week is both National Collegiate Alcohol Awareness Week as well as National Teen Driver Safety Week. Both weeks are marked with awareness and educational opportunities including demonstrations at BGSU using fatal vision goggles to demonstrate the effects of alcohol consumption on driving ability.
In 2015, there were three teens killed in traffic crashes. In 2016 to date, we have had two fatalities. This is two too many! In 2015 there were 303 teens injured in traffic crashes and 119 injured in 2016 to date. Let’s band together and set a good example for the teens in our lives by demonstrating proper driving habits. If we all teach teens to buckle up, hang up, and keep their heads up while driving, we can help make the balance of 2016 lower in teen fatalities and injuries and do our part to lower the same numbers in 2017.
For More Information:
* Lt. William Bowers, Ohio State Highway Patrol: 419-352-2481
* Sandy Wiechman, Safe Communities Coordinator: 419-372-9353 or swiechm@bgsu.edu

 

Dancing with the BG Stars

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over, Press Releases, RecWell, Safe Communities, WellAware

Join Wood County Safe Communities as they partner with numerous local agencies to produce the annual event – Dancing with the BG Stars.

Date: Saturday, October 22
Time: Doors Open at 6 PM, Live Performance at 7 PM
Location: Nazareth Hall
Tickets: $40 – Contact BG Chamber of Commerce: 419.353.7195
Limited to the first 350 ticket sales.

Shuttle service 5:30 – 7 PM  and from 9 PM to/from Wood County Hospital Rehabilitation Center. If you find yourself unable to drive, Wood County Safe Communities is providing a ride home within 15 miles of Bowling Green.

Proceeds used to purchase a driving simulator: Fundraising Goal – $11,000

Emcees:
Ryan Wichman – WTOL Meterologist
Mr. Francis Scruci, Superintendent BG Schools

Child Passenger Safety Seat Awareness

Press Releases, RecWell, Safe Communities

Safe Communities of Wood County announced today that there have been 8 fatal crashes to date in 2016 in Wood County compared to 10 from this time last year.

September 18-24, 2016 is Child Passenger Safety Seat Awareness week.  In Wood County, there were no fatalities involving children under the age of 13 in calendar year 2016. Child safety seats reduce the risk of fatal injury by 71 percent for infants and by 54 percent for toddlers. Car seats are most effective when installed properly in your vehicle and used correctly.

It is essential for parents to make sure their child safety equipment in their vehicles is current with state and federal regulations and is installed properly.  Residents of Wood County are encouraged to contact either Wood County Hospital or Safe Kids of Greater Toledo to schedule a car seat inspection.

For More Information:

  • William Bowers, Ohio State Highway Patrol: 419-352-2481
  • Sandy Wiechman, Safe Communities Coordinator:
    419-372-9353 or swiechm@bgsu.edu

Back to School Bus Stop Safety

Press Releases, RecWell, Safe Communities, WellAware, Youth and Family

It is time to head back to school. Safe Communities of Wood County wants everyone’s travel to and from school to be safe. As school comes back in session, local roads become busier with school buses and cars as parents or guardians drive children to school, adding to existing traffic and daily work commuters.

Following are tips to keep children safe this school year:

  • According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the safest way to get to and from school is by riding on a school bus. Encourage children to ride the bus if living in a bus route.
  • Accompany children and model the proper way to wait for the bus.
  • Arrive early and wait in front of where the bus picks up.
  • Look for the bus driver to the student onto the bus – whether with eye contact or a wave.
  • Always use sidewalks if walking to or from school.

For more information regarding bus stop and back to school safety, contact Safe Communities of Wood County at 419.372.9353 or check the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s website at http://www.nhtsa.gov/

Keep in mind these school bus safety tips and do your part to make this school year a fantastic and safe one for all local children!

For More Information:

  • William Bowers, Ohio State Highway Patrol: 419-352-2481
  • Sandy Wiechman, Safe Communities Coordinator: 419-372-9353 or swiechm@bgsu.edu