The Knox County Safe Communities Coalition reports two traffic crash fatalities from Oct. 1, 2023 to Dec. 31, 2023. This compares to one traffic crash fatality in Knox County during the same months in 2022. For 2023, Knox County has experienced 1,047 crashes, resulting in 7 fatalities.

"The crash statistics for this quarter show that 12% of drivers were not wearing a seatbelt, and 6% of drivers were driving impaired," said Suzanne Dapprich, Safe Communities Program Coordinator at Knox Public Health.

To go along with the yearly goal to reduce the number of traffic fatalities in our community, the Safe Communities Coalition conducts traffic safety media campaigns, coordinates events and activities and distributes educational materials. The coalition also focuses on educating the driving population of Knox County about impaired driving, seat belt use, distracted driving and motorcycle awareness.

Efforts of the Safe Communities Program are funded through a grant from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO). For more information about OTSO and statewide efforts to improve safety on Ohio's roadways, visit http://ohiohighwaysafetyoffice.ohio.gov/index.stm.

For more information or to get involved with the Knox County Safe Communities Coalition, contact Suzanne Dapprich at 740-392-2200 x 2225 or sdapprich@knoxhealth.com.