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The Licking County Health Department’s (LCHD) Safe Communities Coalition reported three crash fatalities in the county during the fourth quarter of 2022, October 1st to December 31st. During the same time frame last year, there were also three crash fatalities reported. Overall, Licking County’s 2022 concluded with a total of 17 fatalities, a decrease of 8 compared to 2021’s overall 25 fatalities. Our sincere condolences to the families and loved ones involved.
7 drivers out of the 17 fatal crashes (41%) in Licking County in 2022 were not wearing seatbelts, an issue that continues to impact Licking County drivers. In Ohio, by law, every driver and front seat passenger must wear a seatbelt and all children aged 15 and younger, not in a car seat, must wear a seatbelt while in a vehicle. LCHD’s Safe Communities coordinator reminds us that, “seatbelts are one of the most effective ways to prevent injury or death in the event of a car crash. And according to Ohio’s Department of Public Safety, on average, more than 60% of people killed in crashes were not correctly buckled.”
The Safe Communities Coalition and local law enforcement will continue efforts to decrease fatalities by reminding everyone to Click it or Ticket. Although simple, this initiative acts as a reminder for drivers to make smart decisions and know the effects of their choices.
The Coalition is a group of community partners with a goal to reduce traffic-related deaths. It is administered by the Licking County Health Department and provides traffic fatality updates quarterly to the community. It is the Coalition’s mission to educate the public about the consequences of dangerous driving behaviors such as drinking and driving, reckless driving, distracted driving, not wearing a seat belt, and not wearing a helmet when operating a motorcycle. The fatality updates keep the public informed on the common driving behaviors that cause fatal crashes and educate the community to create safer drivers.
For more information on traffic safety issues and crash data in Licking County visit the Ohio State Highway Patrol website.
