Safe Communities of Wood County announced today that the annual safe driving Halloween National Mobilization is October 31, to November 1, 2017.

Halloween is a time for making memories, not causing nightmares. This Halloween, Safe Communities of Wood County would like to remind everyone to party responsibly and to stay safe – and help keep others safe – by refraining from drunk driving.

Per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 45 percent of all people killed in motor vehicle crashes on Halloween were in crashes involving a drunk driver. Children out trick-or-treating are also at risk, as 36 percent of fatal pedestrian crashes on Halloween involve drunk drivers.

We ask that you follow these simple tips for a safe and happy Halloween:

• Remember that it is never okay to drink and drive. Even if you’ve had one alcoholic beverage, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation to get home safely.
• Download NHTSA’s SaferRide mobile app, or another taxi service app, like Uber or Lyft, so you can easily find a safe ride home.
• If you suspect a drunk driver on the road, pull over to a safe location and contact your local law enforcement or call #677 and report it.
• Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and arrange to get your friend home safely.

For More Information:

• Angel Burgos, Ohio State Highway Patrol: 419-352-2481
• Sandy Wiechman, Safe Communities Coordinator:

419-372-9353 or swiechm@bgsu.edu

Wood County Safe Communities announced today that there have been 8 fatal crashes in Wood County compared to 9 at this same time last year.

August is back to school month for local school districts and higher education facilities in Wood County.  When travelling rural roads, please be attentive to school buses in the area picking up and dropping of their precious cargo.  Watch for increased traffic in the area of school buildings and be mindful of the 20 mph school zone speed limit during restricted times.

Owens Community College begins the fall semester on August 21.  Watch for increased traffic on Oregon Road with students entering and exiting campus.  Students and staff of the college are reminder to be mindful of congestion in parking lots and be aware of your surroundings.  These times can help prevent the high number of crashes that occur in in college parking lots.

Bowling Green State University (BGSU) classes also begin August 21.  Wooster Street is the main thoroughfare to enter the campus statistics show a high volume of crashes from 11am to 6 pm.  Most crashes occur on Friday but all drivers are reminded when attending events at BGSU, to be aware of the high volume of traffic and to travel these areas with caution.

Let’s make this back to school season the safest in history!!

For More Information:

• Angel Burgos, Ohio State Highway Patrol: 419-352-2481
• Sandy Wiechman, Safe Communities Coordinator:

419-372-9353 or swiechm@bgsu.edu

This year, as we celebrate our country’s birthday, thousands of families take to their cars, driving to neighborhood cookouts, family picnics, and other summer festivities. Sadly, some of those families’ Independence Day will end in tragedy, as too many irresponsible people decide to drink and drive. Unfortunately, their bad choices have lasting effects on families.

For as many good memories as the Fourth of July holiday can provide, it can also create devastating nightmares for families who lose a loved one due to drunk driving. During the 2015 Fourth of July holiday period (6 p.m. July 2 to 5:59 a.m. July 6), 92 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving a driver or motorcycle operator with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .15 or higher, and 146 people died in crashes involving at least one driver or motorcycle operator with a BAC of .08. In fact, from 2011-2015, 39 percent of all traffic fatalities over the Fourth of July period occurred in alcohol-impaired-driving crashes.

Join us for a family friendly event on July 3, 2017 at the Perry Field House Parking Lot beginning at 8 PM. Enjoy games, prizes, and the chance to interact with Bowling Green Fire and EMS plus officers from the Bowling Green State University Police Department.  Activities continue until the fireworks begin at 10 PM.

Have a safe and enjoyable 4^th of July.  Please designate a driver and make it home safe.

For More Information:

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