Safe Communities

Safe Communities
of Tuscarawas County

The goal of Safe Communities is to work together as a community to prevent traffic related fatalities and injuries in Tuscarawas County by increasing traffic safety awareness.

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

Distracted Driving involves anything that takes your attention away from driving. A few examples of distracted driving are talking on your phone, sending a text message, using in car technology such as navigation, engaging with passengers, eating, or even daydreaming. Distractions can be visual (taking your eyes off the road), manual (taking your hands off the wheel), or cognitive (taking your mind off driving). Distracted driving is dangerous and could endanger you, your passengers, or other travelers on the road.

Click the link to the right to play the Teen Drive 365 Interactive Driving Challenge to test your skills:

Heads Up Interactive Driving Challenge

Distracted Driving Resources:

NHTSA- Distracted Driving Resources

CDC- Parent Resources

Teen Drive 365 for Educators

Sample Employee Memo (NHTSA)

NHTSA- Teen Distracted Driver Data

CDC- Distracted Driving Resources

Parent Teen Agreement (CDC)

For Educators: Teen Drive 365

Updated! Cost of Vehicle Crashes to Employers- NETS calculator

SC Distracted Driving News Release

Parent Teen Contract (NHTSA)

Get it in Writing - CDC Parent Tool Kit

Sample Employee Policy (NHTSA)

Safe Communities Objectives:

- work with law enforcement agencies, local governments, schools, businesses, advocacy organizations and community members to reduce traffic injuries.
- Increase seat belt restraint usage.
- Increase public awareness of seat belt usage, impaired driving, distracted driving and other problems specific to traffic safety related issues.
- Increase motorcycle safety awareness among motorcyclists and motorists.
- Create a safe communities coalition and hold quarterly meetings
- Conduct fatal data reviews to identify patterns or trends that could increase impact of traffic safety countermeasures.

You should join the Safe Communities Coalition if:

You would like a safer community
You would like to increase traffic safety awareness
You are a local EMS, Fire, or Law enforcement
You have a business in Tuscarawas County
You have been affected by drunk driving, distracted driving, impaired driving, and/or not using a seat belt.

For more information please contact Kelly Snyder at (330) 343-5555 x 182 or ksnyder@tchdnow.org

2021 Tuscarawas County Safe Communities Coalition Meetings
*All meetings begin at 1:00pm

Wednesday, February 24th
Wednesday, May 26th
Wednesday, August 25th
Wednesday, November 17th

Safe Communities is a federal traffic safety grant through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) and has been awarded to the Tuscarawas County Health Department for the fifth year in a row.

Photo Caption: Safe Communities Wendy’s Safety Day Activity at Wendy’s in Newcomerstown, (L to R) Nicole Dorsey of the Tuscarawas County Health Department, Deputy Shaffer of the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office, Officer Johnson of the Newcomerstown Police Department, and Kelly Snyder & Lisa Walker, both of the Tuscarawas County Health Department.

Safe Communities of Tuscarawas County 2020 Traffic Fatality Report

From January 1, 2020 - December 31, 2020, the State Highway Patrol reports a total of 2,066 vehicle crashes investigated in Tuscarawas County. Of the 2,066 crashes investigated Tuscarawas County experienced 11 fatal crashes with 14 crash fatalities. In 2019 Tuscarawas County experienced a total of 9 fatal crashes with 10 fatalities, and 2018 Tuscarawas County experienced a total of 11 fatal crashes with 12 fatalities which was an improvement from 2017 when Tuscarawas County experienced a total of 19 fatal crashes with 20 fatalities.

“When we look at the statistics, we know that OVI education and enforcement continues to be one of the top traffic safety priorities in our County” said Kelly Snyder, Safe Communities Program Coordinator for the Tuscarawas County Health Department. “54% of the fatal crashes in 2020 involved some type of impairment” reported Snyder. Other factors in the fatal crashes were unbelted occupants, speed, and motorcycle related crashes.
The Safe Communities Coalition is comprised of partners from various agencies and organizations in Tuscarawas County. “Our partners are critical to the success of the Safe Communities traffic safety efforts” said Snyder “every partner brings a unique perspective to the table” said Snyder.
Safe Communities conducts traffic safety media campaigns, coordinates events and activities and distributes educational materials to help prevent fatal traffic crashes and injuries from occurring in Tuscarawas County. Some events included working in many of the local high schools to educate youth about the importance of safe driving. The group also spends time educating the driving population of Tuscarawas County on impaired driving, seatbelt use, distracted driving, and motorcycle awareness.

On February 24th, 2021 members of the Safe Communities Coalition will be meeting to review the traffic fatalities from the fourth quarter of 2020 to identify any trends or measures that can be taken to prevent future traffic fatalities in our County. If you would like to know more about the Safe Communities project please visit www. tchdnow.org/safe-communities.html.

For more information about OTSO and statewide efforts to improve safety on Ohio’s roadways, log http://ohiohighwaysafetyoffice.ohio.gov/index.stm
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