Staying safe on the road should be every driver’s top priority, but accidents can happen in the blink of an eye. Knowing the most common causes of crashes—including fatal accidents—can help you prevent them.
A recent news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol revealed new statistics regarding fatal crashes in the state. According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, in the period from 2019 to 2023 5,773 fatal crashes happened on Ohio roadways. This resulted in 6,262 fatalities. Cuyahoga County ranked second in the state for fatal crashes. The data showed that Cuyahoga County experienced 487 fatal crashes during the aforementioned period, trailing behind Franklin County, which recorded 570 fatal crashes.
What’s causing the crashes?
One of the most concerning issues is that more than one in four fatal crashes were the result of driving off the roadway. This indicates a significant need for measures aimed at preventing accidents, as many of these crashes were deemed preventable.
Governor Mike DeWine emphasized the importance of responsible driving, urging all motorists to remain focused on the road and adhere to traffic laws. Simple actions such as avoiding distractions and maintaining safe driving practices can go a long way in preventing needless tragedies on the road.
The release also outlined the top contributing factors to fatal crashes statewide, including unsafe speed, driving left of center, failure to yield the right of way, following too closely and running a stop sign. Addressing these factors requires a multifaceted approach toward both individual driver responsibility and law enforcement interventions. The Ohio Highway Patrol also reiterated the importance of motorists playing their part in ensuring road safety by adhering to speed limits, maintaining safe distances and obeying traffic laws.
Reducing distracted driving accidents
In April 2023, Ohio implemented stricter distracted driving laws. Since the laws went into effect, there has been a noticeable decline in distracted driving-related crashes on Ohio roadways. This shows the effectiveness of legislative measures in tackling road safety challenges—but new laws can’t prevent every accident.
Despite these measures, drivers should remain vigilant and proactive in reporting reckless or impaired drivers and instances of drug activity. Drivers with Bluetooth-enabled devices can call #677 to make a report.
If you or a loved one are involved in an accident, be sure to call the Law Offices of Tim Misny right away. We can help by reviewing your claim and explaining your legal options. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and more.
Talk to an Ohio auto accident lawyer today
The Law Offices of Tim Misny can review your car accident claim. When you’re the victim of negligence or recklessness, I’ll Make Them Pay!® Call my office at (800) 556-4769 so that I can evaluate your case right away.