(From the Ohio State Highway Patrol)
With summer travel season in full swing, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding drivers of the importance of adhering to posted speed limits. Speeding remains a leading cause of crashes, injuries and fatalities on Ohio roadways, and slowing down is a simple yet impactful action every driver can take to promote safety for themselves and others.
“Speed-related crashes are preventable, and slowing down could save your life or the life of a loved one,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “Speed limits are there for everyone’s safety, and I encourage all drivers to remain fully attentive to the road and adhere to posted speed limits.”
Posted speed limits are not suggestions, they are carefully determined based on a variety of factors including road design, traffic volume and surrounding environment. Speed limits are chosen with one goal in mind – to keep everyone traveling on the road safe.
There are several reasons why it is important to slow down and adhere to posted speed limits. Those reasons include:
Increased reaction time – Slower speeds provide more time to perceive and react to hazards, pedestrians or unexpected road conditions.
Reduced stopping distance – The faster you go, the longer it takes to bring your vehicle to a complete stop.
Minimized crash severity – In the event of a collision, the forces involved are significantly greater at higher speeds, leading to more severity of injuries and fatalities.
Protecting roadside workers and emergency responders – Adhering to “Move Over” laws and slowing down in work zones and near emergency vehicles is crucial for the safety of those working to keep our roads safe.
“Speeding is a choice, and it’s a choice that can have devastating consequences,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Every time you exceed the speed limit, you’re not just putting yourself at risk, you’re endangering everyone else on the road.”
From 2020-2024, a total of 146,983 crashes occurred on Ohio roadways in which a driver was traveling at an unsafe rate of speed. Patrol statistics also calculate a total of 1,713 speed-related fatal crashes, resulting in 1,890 deaths, over that same timeframe.
Additional information regarding Ohio crash statistics is available on the Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS) dashboard. That dashboard can be located here.
The Patrol will continue to monitor and enforce all traffic laws, including speed limits, to deter dangerous driving behavior. However, the most effective tool in preventing speeding-related crashes is the responsibility of the individual driver.
The public is encouraged to safely call #677 to report reckless or impaired drivers and drug activity.
