The Richland County Safe Communities Coalition reports that for the month of December there were two traffic-related deaths in Richland County. There were nine total traffic-related deaths in 2013 in Richland County. Ohio posted 981 traffic fatalities that year, the lowest number since the state began keeping records in 1936.
The chart below reflects the five-year totals of traffic-related fatalities in Richland County for December and for the year:
Year December Fatalities Through 12 Months
2013 2 9
2012 0 12
2011 5 14
2010 0 8
2009 3 13
According to the Federal Highway Administration’s comprehensive costs for traffic fatalities, each fatality has a comprehensive cost of $6 million associated with it. The nine fatalities this year cost Richland County $54 million.
“Traffic-related fatalities are nearly always avoidable,” said Selby Dorgan, Manager of Health Promotion/Education at the Mansfield/Ontario/Richland County Health Department and coordinator of the Safe Communities Coalition. “They usually result from poor driving habits such as speeding, tailgating or aggressive driving, and poor operator decisions such as impaired driving, distracted driving, including cell phone use or texting, or not wearing seat belts or motorcycle helmets. This year was unusual in that two of Richland County’s traffic fatalities were pedestrians struck by vehicles.”
Dorgan praised all law enforcement agencies in Richland County, partners in the Safe Communities Coalition, for their vigilance. “It’s important for us to encourage seat belt use and discourage impaired driving,” Dorgan said, “but we need law enforcement out there to drive the message home. Both parts are working together to ensure a safer Richland County.”
