Category Archives: Press Releases

National Safety Awareness Month for Safe Communities

Distracted Driving, Press Releases, RecWell, Safe Communities

This month Safe Communities is highlighting National Safety Awareness. National Safety Month promotes four key aspects each week, including: emergency preparedness, wellness, falls and driving. By avoiding distracted driving and focusing on buckling up, you can increase safety on the roadway.

Distracted driving is a public issue that affects us all. More than 40,000 people were killed on the nation’s roadways last year, and distracted driving is a major contributor. Each death is 100% preventable. Cell phones, dashboard infotainment systems, and evolving voice command features all pose a threat to our safety. Taking just one second of your attention away from the task of driving is all it takes to change a life forever.

Additionally, during a crash, being buckled up helps keep you safe and secure inside your vehicle. Being thrown from a vehicle almost always leads to injury. Seat belts are the best defense against impaired, aggressive, and distracted drivers.

Let’s make this summer a fun and safe one!

For More Information:

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

Drive Safe This Year for Prom

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

Prom night is a rite of passage for many teens. It is a time to make memories with friends, that will last a lifetime. Finding the perfect dress, the right date and best after party is all a part of the process. Students may have the best intentions for a memorable evening, but prom night can sometimes lead to making poor decisions.

In fact, 90% of teens believe their peers are more likely to drink and drive on prom night. This can result in devastation and tragedy that may accompany drinking and driving. Alcohol is involved in almost 1/3 of teenage car crash fatalities.

Safe Communities of Wood County is teaming up with local florist to educate tees about safe prom activities. When purchasing boutonnieres and corsages, students will receive a prom safety sticker. Our motto, “Don’t Tempt Fate, The Phone Can Wait. Be Safe. Buckle Up and Drive Sober,” will be depicted on each sticker.

Tips for Staying Safe & Sober on Prom Night:

  • Be prepared to deal with the pressures that come with the territory
  • Plan something fun and stick to the plan
  • Be a leader to others around you

Tips for Parents to make sure your teen’s prom is memorable for all the right reasons:

  • Have contact numbers handy
  • Communicate
  • Work with other parents
  • Have a transportation plan
  • Stay Connected

St. Patrick’s Day Traffic Safety

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

St. Patrick’s Day has become one of the nation’s most popular times to celebrate. Unfortunately, too many people are taking to the roads after drinking alcohol, also making this holiday one of the most dangerous. St. Patrick’s Day is one of the deadliest holidays on our nation’s roads. During the 2012-2016 St. Patrick’s Day holiday period (6 p.m. March 16 to 5:59 a.m. March 18), 269 lives were lost due in drunk-driving crashes. In 2016, drunk driving killed more than 10,000 people in our country, and every single one of those deaths was preventable. To keep the roads safer, Wood County Safe Communities is reaching out with an important life-saving message and warning: Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

If you plan to celebrate with alcohol this St. Patrick’s Day, follow these tips to stay safer:

  • Before celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, decide whether you’ll drink or you’ll drive. You can’t do both.
  • If you’re planning on driving, commit to staying sober. If you’ve been out drinking and then get behind the wheel, you run the risk of causing a crash or getting arrested for a DUI.
  • If someone you know is drinking, do not let him or her get behind the wheel.
  • If you see someone who appears to be driving drunk, pull over to a safe location and call the police. Your actions could help save a life.
  • In addition to the dangers of drunk driving, be aware of walking while intoxicated as this action can be deadly. A lack of attention could put you at risk for getting hit by a vehicle.

Remember this St. Patrick’s Day: Plan Before You Party! Buzzed Driving Is Drunk Driving.

For More Information:

  • visit trafficsafetymarketing.gov
  • Angel Burgos, Ohio State Highway Patrol: 419-352-2481
  • Sandy Wiechman, Safe Communities Coordinator: 419-372-9353 or swiechm@bgsu.edu

Dangers Associated with Aggressive Driving

Press Releases, RecWell, Safe Communities

Wood County Safe Communities announced today there have been 0 fatal crashes this year, compared to 5 at the same point last year.

According to The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, aggressive driving has become a major concern of the public, ranking at or near the top of traffic safety issues in national surveys.

The Foundation defines aggressive driving as “any single unsafe driving behavior performed deliberately and with ill-intention.” As many as 56 percent of fatal crashes involve one or more unsafe driving behaviors typically associated with aggressive driving. Speeding is the most common contributing factor and is involved in nearly one in three deadly crashes.

TIPS TO COMBAT AGGRESSIVE DRIVING

  • Don’t have a “do as I say, not as I do” attitude
  • Plan your trip
  • Avoid dangerous interactions and confrontations
  • Avoid eye contact with aggressive drivers
  • Do not take the actions of other drivers personally
  • Be a courteous and patient driver
  • Do not tailgate and use the left lane only when passing
  • Use signals and with plenty of warning
  • Use the horn only as a safety device
  • Obey the speed limit
  • Identify alternative routes
  • Just be late
  • Get out of the way and let an aggressive driver pass
  • Don’t challenge aggressive drivers

For More Information:

Safe Driving Tips

Press Releases, RecWell, Safe Communities

Safe Communities announced today that there have been zero fatal crashes in Wood County this year compared to four at this time last year.

Rear-end and fixed object crashes are the major causes of crashes in Wood County.  Common factors that contribute to these type of collisions include:

  • Aggressive or reckless driving.
  • Texting and driving.
  • Driver fatigue.
  • Negligence while driving through intersections, parking lots, and highway ramps.
  • Failure to follow the rules of the road.

You can prevent these crashes by remembering these simple rules:

  • Look further up the road to spot traffic stopping long before the vehicle in front of you slams on its brakes.
  • Stay focused on your driving
  • Leave 2-3 vehicle lengths between you and the car in front of you, and more at higher rates of speed
  • Do not drive in excess of the speed limit
  • Do not drive drowsy or impaired
  • If there is poor visibility be cautious and drive within your abilities.

Let’s strive for zero fatal crashes in 2018.

For More Information:

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