Ohio Traffic Safety Council
On September 1, 2020, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced the creation of the Ohio Traffic Safety Council. The Council, led by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, includes representatives from federal, state, county, and local agencies along with traffic safety partners and advocates who are all dedicated to making Ohio’s roadways safer. Together, they will identify the leading causes of motor vehicle crashes, serious injuries, and fatalities on Ohio’s roadways and take action to save lives using proven education, engineering, enforcement, emergency response, and public policy countermeasures.
About
While still at historic lows, traffic fatalities in Ohio have increased five of the last six years. An average of 1,000 people die annually on our roads, with lack of seat belt use, alcohol/drug impairment, and inexperience a leading factor in many of these fatal crashes. Driver error is the cause of approximately 94% of serious crashes.1
Education
Changing driver behavior is the focus of traffic safety education efforts. It is not enough for drivers to understand the “rules of the road.” Drivers must be motivated to change their driving habits. The Council will develop and support education efforts directed at risky road users.
Enforcement
The Council will promote consistent and conspicuous enforcement of traffic laws to increase driver compliance and reduce unsafe behaviors. Action will also be taken to identify gaps in Ohio’s traffic safety laws and promote enactment of lifesaving public policy.
Emergency Response
A fast, efficient and coordinated response is critical in the event of a crash.
Engineering
Infrastructure improvements can be costly and time consuming. The Council will promote investment in engineering countermeasures shown to have the greatest impact on public safety.
1 Singh, S. (2015, February). Critical reasons for crashes investigated in the National Motor Vehicle Crash Causation Survey. (Traffic Safety Facts Crash•Stats. Report No. DOT HS 812 115). Washington, DC: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Members
Thomas Stickrath, Chair
Former Director
Ohio Department of Public Safety
Jack Marchbanks
Director
Ohio Department of Transportation
Adam Greenslade
Director of Governmental Affairs, Marketing & Communications
Ohio Turnpike Commission
John Williams
Director - Transportation Dept.
Ohio Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
Jeanna Walock
Forensic Toxicologist/Program Administrator
Ohio Department of Health
Meredith Craig
Assistant Director, Legislative Affairs
Ohio Department of Insurance
David Bowlin
Director, Field Relations
Ohio Department of Education
Jamie Patton
Sheriff
Buckeye State Sheriffs’ Association
Scott D. Noel
Chief of Police - City Blue Ash
Ohio Association of Chiefs of Police
Charles Jones
Superintendent
Ohio State Highway Patrol
Douglas E. Cade
Hancock County Engineer
County Engineers Association
Bob Entenmann
Washington Township Trustee
Ohio Township Association
Kimberly Schwind
Ohio Traffic Safety Office
Rachel Babich
Program Director
Mothers Against Drunk Driving
Sandy Spavone
Executive Director
Family Career and Community Leaders of America
Rick Birt
President and CEO
Students Against Destructive Decisions
Philip S. Renaud II
Executive Director
The Ohio State University - Risk Institute
Jonlee S. Anderle, Ph.D.
Regional Administrator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Stephen McCormick
Division Administrator
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
Laura S. Leffler
Division Administrator
Federal Highway Administration
Chuck Smith
Chairman
Ohio Bicycle Federation
Tom Balzer
President & CEO
Ohio Trucking Association
Arthur J. Arnold
Executive Director
The Ohio Railroad Association
Sharon Montgomery
Traffic Safety Advocate
Kenny Kolberg
Regional Manager
American Traffic Safety Services Association
James Kinnick
Executive Director
Metropolitan Planning Organization
James J Augustine M.D., FACEP
American College of Emergency Physicians
Christopher Runyan
President
Ohio Contractors Association
Michael Sayre
Director of Government Affairs
American Motorcyclist Association
Dom Tiberi
Traffic Safety Advocate
Priority Areas
The Ohio Traffic Safety Council will focus on addressing the areas that have the greatest potential to reduce the number of people killed on our roadways. We will place an emphasis on data analysis, council feedback, and best practices to identify priority areas. Each priority area will be assigned a coordinator to organize subcommittee meetings, arrange for resources, and provide updates to the council. The subcommittee is action-oriented, identifying well-defined projects that can be accomplished within a six-month period.
Current Priority Areas
- Impaired Driving
- Youthful Driving
- Distracted Driving
- Occupant Protection
Meetings
Future Meeting Dates:
- May 3, 2023
- August 9, 2023
- November 8, 2023
Past Meeting Videos
February 22, 2023 - View Meetings
November 2, 2022 - View Meeting
February 10, 2021 - View Meeting
November 4, 2020 - View Meeting
Past Meeting Presentations
Occupant Protection Subcommittee
Distracted Driving Subcomittee