The Clermont County Safe Communities program reports that as of December 31, 2010 there were 16 traffic deaths and 14 fatal crashes in Clermont County. This compares with 9 traffic deaths and 8 fatal crashes during 2007.
Summary of the 2010 crashes includes the following information from the Ohio State Highway Patrol:
- 8 on state roadways, 8 on county roadways
- 8 killed age 1 - 25
- 3 killed age 26 – 50
- 5 killed age 51 +
- 2 fatality involved drugs
- 4 fatality involved alcohol
- All but four crashes occurred between noon and 8:30 PM
- 3 motorcycle fatalities – 1 not wearing a helmet
- Of the 13 killed in vehicles – 3 were not wearing a seat belt
Top causes 1. Left of center 2. Unsafe speed 3. Failure to Yield 4. Illegally in roadway (pedestrians – 3)
According to Ohio State Patrol Post Commander Lt. Randy McElfresh, of the Batavia Post, there is no obvious reason for the increase in Clermont County fatal crashes last year. “In general throughout Ohio, fatal crashes are actually down. . We continue to use our resources to our maximum ability and don’t like to see even one fatal crash.”
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, each fatality has a comprehensive cost of $3,366,388 associated with it. This amount covers insurance payments, medical costs, funeral costs, time off work for family members, law enforcement, and investigation costs. Using this information, the cost in Clermont County for 2008 is $53,862,208.
“We can’t put a monetary price on life. No amount of money can replace the life of a loved one.” says Safe Communities coordinator Martha Enriquez. “The Clermont County Safe Communities coalition is dedicated to keeping Clermont County roadways safe so we don’t have to grieve over someone in our community or our family. It is so easy to put on a seat belt and they definitely increase your chances of living through a crash.”
The Safe Communities program was developed through the Ohio Department of Public Safety to reduce the incidence of traffic fatalities in Clermont County. Safe Communities staff are available to speak to any group in Clermont County at no cost.
For more information please contact us.