Lake County General Health District (LCGHD) announced today that it has been awarded $38,500 in federal traffic safety funding from the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s (ODPS) Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) for federal fiscal year 2024.
“Through partnerships with law enforcement and other community organizations, our goal is to reduce the number of traffic-related motor vehicle deaths in Lake County,” said Population Health Coordinator Christine Margalis.
LCGHD has identified that improper seat belt use, impaired driving, and distracted driving are impacting the safety and welfare of the residents of Lake County. To save lives and improve the quality of life for Lake County residents, LCGHD will use the grant funds to coordinate the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition, a multi-sector partnership consisting of members of law enforcement, fire safety, traffic and engineering professionals, community organizations, and private business. The Coalition meets bimonthly, conducts educational campaigns and awareness activities that promote aspects of traffic safety, and is always seeking to expand its membership.
According to data provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, as of October 10, 2023, Lake County has had nine confirmed fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2023. Five of those crashes involved an impaired driver, and one was motorcycle related. Lake County experienced 13 fatal crashes in 2022.
For more information about OTSO and statewide efforts to improve safety on Ohio’s roadways, log onto http://ohiohighwaysafetyoffice.ohio.gov/index.stm. For more information on the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition, please visit, https://www.lcghd.org/safe-communities/.
