Lake County General Health District (LCGHD) recently announced 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 2025. “Working alongside law enforcement and other community organizations, our goal is to reduce the number of traffic-related motor vehicle deaths in Lake County,” said Health Educator, Katelyn Van Norstran.
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 continue to coordinate the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition, which is a multi-sector partnership consisting of members of law enforcement, fire safety, traffic and engineering professionals, community organizations, and private businesses. The Coalition meets every other month, conducts educational campaigns and awareness activities that promote aspects of traffic safety, and is always open to expanding its membership.
According to data provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, as of October 7, 2024, Lake County has had six confirmed fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2024. Of those crashes, there were impaired driver and motorcycle related crashes. Lake County experienced 10 fatal crashes in 2023. For more information about OTSO and statewide efforts to improve safety on Ohio’s roadways, log onto ohiohighwaysafetyoffice.ohio.gov/index.stm. For more information on the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition, please visit, www.lcghd.org/safe-communities/.
