OHIO CRASH TRENDS

2015 Traffic Deaths 1,111 103 traffic deaths in 2015 more than 2014

2015 TRAFFIC DEATHS UP 10% Fatalities by Month Last year, Ohio saw a 10% increase in traffic deaths compared to 2015. This chart illustrates traffic deaths by month – comparing 2015 in orange with 2014 in blue and the five-year average in green. Let me point out a few highlights: January and February – really bad months for traffic deaths. Ohio, like many other states, had a very harsh winter. And during that winter, we had an unusually high number of traffic deaths involving pedestrians – some killed when they got out of a stranded vehicle and others who may have been waking in the road because sidewalks and other more suitable areas were impassable. We started to level off in March and April, then we had the worst May and August in a decade. In July, we were hovering at about a 19% increase in traffic deaths compared to 2014. Again, we start to level off … then hit more spikes in October and December. In December, we finished the year like we started it – with a weird increase in pedestrian deaths (20 pedestrians deaths). This time, weather was not a major factor.

Top Five Factors in Traffic Deaths Fatalities by SHSP Emphasis Area 51% 563 Total 36% 400 Total 31% 342 Total ROADWAY DEPARTURE SEATBELT ALCOHOL When people crashed in 2015, it typically involved a combination of these five things … Between 30-51% of all traffic deaths in Ohio involved … It was also overlapping. So it was fairly common to see a crash where the driver left the roadway under the influence of alcohol, hit a tree and was ejected from the vehicle because he or she was not wearing a seat belt. 30% 336 Total 33% 362 Total SPEED YOUNG DRIVER

Largest Annual Increase Fatalities by SHSP Emphasis Area OLDER DRIVER COMMERCIAL MOTOR VEHICLES 23% 258 Total 28% 185 Total PEDESTRIAN BICYCLE But we also noted several emerging trends. Last year, the largest annual increase in traffic deaths occurred in these four SHSP categories. Last year we saw a 23% increase in older driver deaths, a 28% increase … These are the areas to watch. We think demographic changes will continue to make older drivers, cyclists and pedestrians more vulnerable to traffic deaths. And we are shifting our transportation programs to better ensure their safety. 108% 27 Total 26% 119 Total

3% 30% FACTORS Travel increase Lower Gas Prices in Ohio and nationally No doubt the economy played a role in Ohio traffic deaths last year. As the economy improves and gas prices plummet, people use their disposable income to drive more. Last year, Ohio saw a 3% increase …

257 257 2016 CRASH TRENDS traffic deaths in 2016 traffic deaths 2015 As of April 15, Ohio had 257 traffic deaths statewide --- the same number we had last year on April 15.

2016 Notable Trends Note: This chart will differ from the previous slide because not all of the fatalities have been reviewed and categorized (yet). Our Statewide SHSP Steering Committee tracks fatalities and serious injuries month to month and compares them to previous years. So far, we’ve seen a notable increase in traffic deaths involving Intersections, Alcohol, Speed, Motorcycle and Work Zones.

2016 Notable Trends Wrong Way Crashes 2nd Highest in a Decade Ohio is also experiencing a sudden spike in wrong way traffic deaths. This year, we’ve had 16 deaths compared to eight last year. At least half of the crashes are alcohol related. An additional four crashes are pending alcohol tests. The number of wrong way deaths this year is the second highest number in a decade – with nine more months to go.

Wrong Way Evaluating New Technology

The website is under development, but you can contact me for a link when it goes live. james.barna@dot.state.ohio.us