XENIA — In early October, the Greene County Safe Communities Coalition reported that as of Sept. 30 there had been twelve fatal crashes in Greene County for the year. Barely a month later, the number of fatal motor vehicle crashes has increased by only one for a total of thirteen (10 passenger vehicles, 3 motorcycles), but the number of deaths resulting from those crashes is now up to lives lost (previously 16).
At this same time in 2016, Greene County had reported ten motor vehicle crashes with a total of eleven fatalities.
“Motorists can reduce their risk of getting into a crash, by devoting their full attention to the road,” said Lt. Matt Schmenk, Ohio State Patrol, Xenia Post Commander. “Ohio’s roadways are safest when we share the road, buckle up and never drive impaired or distracted.”
“We are working to increase our public education about safe driving, as well as pushing those messages about lethal distractions, the importance of seat belt use, and the dangers of speed, and impaired driving”, said Jillian Drew, Safe Communities Coordinator for Greene County Public Health. “We encourage all parents to talk with their teen drivers about safe driving, and practice those good behaviors themselves.
The Coalition is concerned that, with the winter months coming, fatal crashes could increase due to possible snow and ice on the roadways, so reminding all drivers to slow down, buckle up and avoid all distractions is our priority”.
“It’s simple – safety belts save lives and reduce injury in crashes,” Schmenk added. “It is the easiest thing you can do to protect yourself, your family and friends.”
The Greene County Safe Communities Coalition was developed to help Greene County decrease traffic injuries and deaths through education which is one preventive measure that we can all take every day to avoid an economically and personally costly crash.
The next meeting of the Greene County Safe Communities Coalition is 9 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 20 at Greene County Public Health, 360 Wilson Drive. The public is welcome and invited to attend. For more information, contact Jillian Drew at 937-374-5683 or email [email protected].
