The Lake County General Health District has been awarded $38,500 in federal traffic safety funding from the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Traffic Safety Office for the federal fiscal year 2025. According to the district, improper seat belt use, impaired driving, and distracted driving continue to impact the safety and welfare of the residents of Lake County. In efforts to save lives and improve the quality of life for residents, the district will use the grant funds to continue to coordinate the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition, a multi-sector partnership made up of members from law enforcement, fire safety, traffic and engineering professionals, and community organizations, and private businesses. Safe Communities was introduced to Ohio in December 1996 as a conceptual strategy for comprehensive traffic injury control at the local level. The coalition meets publicly bimonthly on Wednesdays and conducts educational campaigns and awareness activities that promote aspects of traffic safety. “Working alongside law enforcement and other community organizations, our goal is to reduce the number of traffic-related motor vehicle deaths in Lake County,” said District Health Educator Katelyn Van Norstran. Additionally, the partnership organizes and holds campaigns and events such as “Click it or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.” Other events include the “Protect and Serve Tavern” and “Heroes Day” at the Great Lakes Mall, prom safety outreach at local high schools, “Connect Fest” at Lakeland Community College, which celebrates the school’s jazz community, McDonald’s Buckle-Down Day, Motorcycle Bike Nights, and the Lake County Fair. As of Oct. 7, according to data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Lake County has had six confirmed fatal motor vehicle crashes this year. Of those crashes, there were impaired-driver and motorcycle-related crashes. Authorities noted that Lake County experienced 10 fatal crashes in 2023. The Fatal Traffic Review Board is responsible for reviewing all fatal crashes occurring in Lake County to identify trends and recommend countermeasures to reduce preventable crashes. For more information about the Ohio Traffic Safety Office and statewide efforts to improve safety on Ohio’s roadways, visit ohiohighwaysafetyoffice.ohio.gov/index.stm. For more information on the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition, visit www.lcghd.org/safe communities/, call 440-350-2451 or email [email protected].