CLEVELAND — Officials with the Ohio Turnpike and Ohio State Highway Patrol have announced traffic safety initiatives that drivers will notice this year -- including high-visibility patrols with troopers focusing on distracted driving, speed enforcement and seat belt usage.
The aim is to improve roadway safety along the 241-mile Ohio Turnpike, which traverses through 13 counties across northern Ohio.
While revealing details of the plan during a press conference Friday morning at the Cleveland Auto Show, Ohio State Highway Patrol Sergeant Ryan E. Purpura said there were 3,800 crashes on the Turnpike from 2019 to 2023 in which speed was a factor -- including more than 1,500 injuries and 16 deaths.
You can watch the full press conference in the video below...
“The patrol utilizes a data-driven approach to identify the areas where troopers can have the biggest impact on changing driving behaviors to make the Turnpike and all of our state roadways safer for everyone," Sgt. Purpura said. "But we can’t just enforce our way to a safer Ohio Turnpike. To truly create the safest driving environment, we need the commitment from motorists to drive in ways that are responsible and safe. Simple things like driving the posted limit, not sending that text message and ensuring everyone in your vehicle is wearing a safety belt are ways to instantly enhance safety for everyone on our roadways.”
Sgt. Purpura also stressed the importance of using caution while driving through a work zone.
“Anytime you see flashing lights, no matter the color, please move over if you can. If you cannot move over, we please ask that you slow down," he said.
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Ohio Turnpike and Infrastructure Chief Engineer Chris Matta said almost one out of every three accidents on the Turnpike "is directly related to speed."
And to reduce those issues, increased enforcement is not the only thing drivers can expect to see along the Turnpike.
“The Ohio Turnpike will do our part as we will continue to improve our roadways, our bridges, our signage and lighting to increase safety, "Matt said. "We will also modernize our roadway with overhead dynamic message boards with variable speed limits, camera systems and highly reflective pavement markings.”
MORE TRAFFIC SAFETY IN OHIO
This announcement comes after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine revealed plans last week to install “state-of-the-art technology” at 13 sites to help reduce serious crashes on various roadways.
"The advanced cameras monitoring live traffic that feed into ODOT’s Traffic Management Center will detect in real time when traffic is slowing down and backing up," when announcing details of that plan back on Feb. 15. "The technology will then immediately turn on a digital message warning drivers approximately two miles back of the upcoming slow down.”
You can see full details of that plan with a list of the 13 locations HERE.