New Philadelphia, Ohio (WJER) - Traffic fatalities in Tuscarawas County are on pace with last year’s statistics about a third of the way through the year. 

The Ohio State Highway Patrol reports there were four fatal crashes with four fatalities in Tuscarawas County between January 1st and April 14th. In 2018, the highway patrol reported 11 fatal crashes with 12 fatalities for the entire year. Safe Communities Coordinator Kelly Snyder says the federally-funded Safe Communities Grant is being used to keep those statistics down.

“Actually, in 2017, we had 19 fatal crashes with 20 fatalities, so we like seeing those numbers going down, and hopefully we can hold here at four for the rest of the year,” she says.

Snyder says they are sharing several messages about safe driving through media campaigns, speaking visits, and at special events like the Teen Driving Roadeo on Wednesday, April 24th.

“All the schools from Tuscarawas County bring a group of students for the Teen Roadeo, and we talk to them about safe driving, and they get to do some testing on paper and on the road, and they do maneuvrability tests, and they get graded on that. It’s a fun day.

She says motorists should remember to wear seatbelts and avoid distracted and impaired driving. Snyder says Safe Communities is also promoting Motorcycle Safety Month in May and talking to students about safe driving during prom season.

WJER RADIO