Lt. Shawn Cook, commander at the Marysville Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, has a message for local drivers.
“Every time someone takes their eyes or their focus off the road, even for just a few seconds, they put their life and the lives of others in danger,” Cook said this morning.
The commander’s message comes at the start of a week-long initiative to make drivers aware of the dangers that come with distracted driving. The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be partnering with state police departments from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia State Police for the Distracted Driver Initiative of the 6-State Trooper Project.
“While distracted driving is a constant focus of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the 6-State Trooper Project aims to bring more attention to the growing problem seen on all roadways,” according to information from Sgt. Thomas J. Gerber, assistant post commander of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Marysville Post.
According to OSP officials, in 2019, 48 people lost their lives and 7,200 were injured in 13,532 crashes as a result of distracted driving.
Gerber wrote that distracted driving is, “any non-driving activity with the potential to distract a person from the primary task of driving and increase the risk of crashing.”
He said distractions can be about a driver taking their eyes off of the road, taking hands off the wheel or taking the mind off driving. Texting while driving is an example that results in all three types of distraction.
“Sending or receiving a text message takes a driver’s eyes off the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent of driving the length of an entire football field when traveling 55 mph.
In the last year, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has handled 59 distracted driving crashes Union County. Since 2015, OSP has handled 452 distracted driver crashes, including two fatal crashes.
Statewide, to date in 2020, OSP has issued 6,493 distracted driving citations, handled 7,659 crashes involving a distraction including 22 fatal crashes, 93 serious injury crashes, 1,472 minor injury crashes, 1,041 possible injury crashes and 4,931 property damage only crashes.
The public is encouraged to use #677 to report dangerous or impaired drivers, as well as drug activity.
While OSP is participating in the awareness campaign, officials are reminding both pedestrians and motorists that safety is a shared responsibility.
“Pedestrians and motorists alike should always be aware of their surroundings,” Cook said. “Stay alert and refrain from using any devices that may cause a distraction.”
In fact, “Do not be distracted by electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road” is listed as the OSP’s top tip for both pedestrians and motorists to follow to increase pedestrian safety.
This year, OSP has dealt with two pedestrian related crashes, both involving distraction, according to the OSP.
“I encourage pedestrians to be attentive, visible, and safe when walking, especially at night,” Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement released this morning. “Both pedestrians and motorists should always be mindful of their surroundings to make certain the safety of all Ohioans.”
Cook said pedestrians should always use a sidewalk when there is one.
“It is unlawful for pedestrians to walk along and upon the adjacent roadway if a sidewalk is available,” Cook wrote. “Where no sidewalk or shoulder exists, pedestrians may walk as close as practicable to an outside edge of the road, facing oncoming traffic.”
Other tips for pedestrians include wearing bright or reflective clothing, especially at night, crossing where motorists expect them to, following pedestrian signs and signals and never assuming a driver can see them.
Motorists are required to yield to pedestrians in a marked crosswalk and in unmarked crosswalks at intersections.
Motorists can use bright headlights when legally able to illuminate the roadway and possibly spot a pedestrian walking near the roadway. Motorists should slow down and drive cautiously in residential areas.
According to the OSP, since 2015, there have been 15,169 pedestrian-related crashes on Ohio’s roadways. Of those, 758 were fatal crashes involving the death of 761 pedestrians.