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The Licking County Health Department’s (LCHD) Safe Communities Coalition reported one local crash fatality in March 2025. In March 2024, there was also one reported crash fatality. Year-to-date (March 31, 2025), there have been four crash fatalities in Licking County. At this time last year, there were three crash fatalities year-to-date (March 31, 2024). Our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones involved.
Drive Now. Text Later.
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, which means it is the perfect time to remind ourselves and others about this life-saving message: Don’t Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward.
Distracted driving isn’t just texting. It can be any activity that takes your focus off the road, risking your life and the lives of those around you. According to NHTSA, 15,960 people died and around 1.8 million people were injured in distraction-affected crashes between 2018 and 2022.
While life-threatening, distracted driving is also preventable. Break the cycle by sharing these five reminders with your friends, family, and social media followers:
· Do not scroll through social media or messages while driving, including when traffic is paused or while stopping at an intersection.
· Ask a passenger to be the “designated texter.” Give them access to your phone to respond to calls or messages.
· Can’t wait to respond? Pull over and park your car in a safe location.
· Listen to your passengers. If they tell you to put your phone away, put it down.
· Struggling not to text and drive? Activate your phone’s “Do Not Disturb” feature or silence notifications. You can also put your phone in the trunk, glove box, or back seat of the vehicle until you arrive at your destination. Out of sight, out of mind.
Help save lives and be an example to others by committing to that message. For more information, visit www.nhtsa.gov/campaign/distracted-driving.
For more information on traffic safety issues and crash data in Licking County visit the Ohio State Highway Patrol website.
