Five area law enforcement agencies have partnered for a month-long effort to promote traffic safety on state Route 57, state Route 254 and urban roadways in Lorain County, according to a news release.
Through Sept. 23, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lorain County Sheriff’s Office, and Lorain, Elyria and Sheffield Village police departments will increase enforcement efforts in urban Lorain County to reduce the number of fatal and injury crashes, the release said.
Troopers, deputies and officers will focus on speed and safety belt violations, as well as impaired driving, according to the release.
In 2023, there have been 2,879 crashes in Lorain County urban areas.
Of those crashes, 13 were fatal and 751 resulted in injuries, the release said.
“Many of the crashes that have occurred on urban Lorain County roadways are preventable,” said Lt. Cliffton Dowell, Highway Patrol Elyria Post commander in the release. “We need motorists to focus on driving and make good choices every time they get behind the wheel.”
Lorain County has had 271 speed-related urban crashes in 2023, with six resulting in fatalities and 100 in injuries, the released said.
“Law enforcement in Lorain County is teaming up to send the message to drivers that we are looking for those who are putting themselves and others at risk by driving above the posted speed limit,” said Lorain County Sheriff Phil Stammitti in the release. “Slow down and drive appropriately for the safety of all on the road.”
This year, there have been 150 OVI-related urban crashes in Lorain County, with six of those being fatal and 65 resulting in injuries, according to the release.
“Every time we remove an impaired driver from our roadways, we prevent the possibility of a family losing a loved one,” said Lorain Police Department Chief James McCann in the release. “We want people to have a plan in place or designate a sober driver so another life is not lost to the selfish act of impaired driving.”
During 2023, there have been 314 unbelted-related rural crashes in urban Lorain County, with four of those being fatal and 114 resulting in injuries, the release said.
“Wearing a safety belt is the simplest task you and everyone in your vehicle can do to stay safe,” said Sheffield Village Police Department Chief William Visalden Jr. in the release. “Taking a few seconds to click it can make the difference of saving your life in a crash.”
Roadway safety is a shared responsibility, according to the release.
Everyone can make the roadways safer by ensuring they follow all traffic laws, always wear a safety belt, never drive impaired and obey speed limits, the release said.
“Each death that occurs on our roadways is more than a statistic, it is someone’s family member or friend,” said Elyria Police Department Chief William Pelko in the release. “If everyone does their part, we can make our roadways safer.”
Safety belts, impaired driving and speeding will be the violations receiving the most attention from law enforcement officers during the traffic safety partnership, according to the release.
To make the biggest impact on lives saved, there will be zero tolerance for these violations, the release said.
The public is encouraged to call #677 or 911 to report dangerous or impaired drivers.
Additional information on crash statistics are found on the Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS) Dashboards
