Ohio State Highway Patrol To Fight Dangerous Driving
The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) plans to reduce the amount of dangerous driving throughout 2025 on the 241-mile Ohio Turnpike.
The Ohio Turnpike (I-80, I-90, and I-76) is partnering with the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) in an attempt to create safer driving conditions across its roads.
The OSHP announced in a news release on February 7th its plan “to promote roadway safety for drivers of passenger and commercial vehicles on the 241-mile Ohio Turnpike.”
According to Lt. Erica Gockstetter, “The motoring public can expect to see troopers conducting high-visibility patrols on the turnpike through the rest of 2025, focusing on distracted driving, speed enforcement, and safety belt usage. But we cannot just enforce our way to a safer Ohio Turnpike. To truly create the safest driving environment, we need a commitment from motorists to drive in ways that are responsible and safe.”
Patrols are set to increase along these roads throughout 2025. The main focus of troopers will be emphasizing interactions between passengers and commercial vehicles.
Lt. Gockstetter continues by saying, “We want to remind the motoring public to use caution around commercial vehicles. Avoid the no-zone by staying out of the blind areas in the front, back, and sides of these vehicles. Do not cut in front of a commercial vehicle, as they require more stopping distance than a passenger vehicle. We equally ask commercial drivers to drive alert, follow the hours-of-service regulations, and be attentive to blind spots when changing lanes. Additionally, driving appropriately for road or weather conditions is crucial.”
Staying Safe on the Ohio Turnpike
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s press release, the top crash factors for drivers of passenger vehicles and commercial trucks include the following:
- Driving at an unsafe speed
- Driving off the road
- Improper lane changes
- Following too closely
- Failure to yield the right of way
The Share the Road campaign, helmed by the American Trucking Association, recommends the following from drivers of passenger vehicles:
- Never cut in front of a truck
- Do not linger alongside a truck
- Pass safely and quickly to resume visibility
- Steer clear of front and rear blind spots
- If you are following a truck and you cannot see the driver’s face in the truck’s side mirrors, the truck driver cannot see you
- Allow trucks adequate space to maneuver
According to officials, there were 3,810 speed-related crashes along the Ohio Turnpike from 2020 to 2024. During these collisions, 18 people were killed, and 1,514 were injured. 326 more crashes occurred as the result of distracted driving, as well, leaving 141 injured and 1 dead.
29 of these fatalities resulted when a safety belt was not in use, despite being available.
Are you a trucker operating in Ohio? FCCR can assist with your PUCO filing. Call 208-888-3227 to speak with a compliance expert today!
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