Thursday, June 18, 2009
Mahoning and Trumbull counties are part of the coalition.
STAFF REPORT
RAVENNA — Despite recent significant traffic-fatality reductions in Ohio, traffic-safety advocates are increasingly concerned that motorcycle fatalities have risen 35 percent statewide in the last three years.
Just last year there were 213 motorcycle fatalities in Ohio.
Curbing that upward motorcycle crash trend is at the core of the new Motorcycle Safety Coalition established Wednesday during a meeting at the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Ravenna Post.
Joining the patrol in the coalition that covers a seven-county area in northeastern Ohio are Safe Communities and local law enforcement. The counties in the initiative are Mahoning, Trumbull, Lorain, Medina, Summit, Stark and Portage.
According to a patrol press release, the counties are being targeted because of the volume of motorcycle-involved crashes in their respective areas. The coalition’s goal is to reduce the number of motorcycle-involved crashes. This will be accomplished through education and enforcement.
Safe Communities will use education at events that are attended by motorcycle enthusiasts. Law enforcement will use enforcement programs targeting motorcyclists in areas identified as a “high-risk” area.
Each agency will identify corridors with increased motorcycle traffic due to events taking place, such as bike nights and bike runs, and will employ high-visibility enforcement in the identified areas. The high-visibility enforcement will be funded through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
To further promote safe motorcycling and motorist awareness of motorcycle-safety issues, patrol troopers are partnering with the American Motorcyclist Association. The partnership provides meaningful avenues to promote awareness toward the three key safety messages stressed in the nationally recognized Ride Smart. Drive Smart. program.