A Committee formed within the Safe Communities of Pickaway County program reviewed the fatalities for the months of January through March 2014. The Committee looked at three fatalities that occurred during this period in order to make recommendations to improve safety on Pickaway County roadways.
The Committee noted that although the lack of seat belt use did not play the significant role that it has played in past reviews, it did play a role in one of the fatalities reviewed. Impaired driving was also a concern in another crash, and has remained a matter of discussion in previous reviews. US 23, and the intersections near Circleville, have had a significant number of crashes and fatalities over the past several years. The Pickaway County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to work with other Sheriffs’ Offices along the highway in an effort to reduce crashes and fatalities. “Project S.T.A.R.” is a coordinated program involving 7 Sheriff Offices along US 23 to increase enforcement. The group plans to work together within the program throughout the summer months.
The Committee also discussed the recent “Click It or Ticket” mobilization, and was provided information that indicates that seat belt use in Pickaway County is not improving. Seat belt use is the number one way to improve a person’s chances of surviving a crash. Pickaway County has continued to struggle in this effort, and the number of fatalities that involved a driver or passenger without a seatbelt is the reason for the continued concern. The Safe Communities Program will continue to promote seatbelt use, while enforcement of seat belt laws will be a priority of many law enforcement officials.
The Committee will continue to monitor the reasons for crashes, and make recommendations for the improvement of safety throughout Pickaway County.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration provides a variety of suggestions and information to help reduce crashes and save lives. For more information on traffic safety, visit their website at www.nhtsa.gov .
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