ODOT has tips for safe roadway usage

Van Wert independent/ODOT information

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Transportation reminds Ohioans to keep it safe on Ohio’s roadways.

Statistics from 2010 show 299,767 crashes across the state, with 1,081 deaths and 10,175 serious injuries. ODOT officials note that most of the crashes that occur each year are preventable, adding that safety is everyone’s responsibility.

Share the Road Ohio is part of a nationwide effort encouraging safety and awareness by all road users – motorists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and bicyclists. The program notes that everyone has the right to use Ohio’s roads, so those who use those roads should know the law, respect others and be safe.

ODOT has stated a goal of reducing roadway fatalities by 5 percent by 2015, which would save 150 lives over the next five years. The ultimate goal, of course, is to eliminate all roadway deaths.

Improvements in cars and highways have helped crashes in Ohio steadily decrease since 2002. However, continued vigilance by those who share the state’s roadways is required to prevent further crashes, injuries and fatalities.

To help with that goal, ODOT released the following tips (click here for a PDF of tips).