Knox Public Health has announced that the Knox County Safe Communities Coalition reported four traffic crash fatalities between April 1 and June 30, 2025.
According to Knox Public Health, during this period in 2025, the coalition recorded four traffic crash fatalities, an increase from two during the same timeframe in 2024. From January 1 to June 30, 2025, Knox County experienced a total of 303 crashes resulting in five fatalities. To address roadway safety concerns, the coalition implements media outreach, educational initiatives, and events designed to inform drivers about issues such as impaired driving, seat belt use, distracted driving, and motorcycle safety. These efforts are supported by a grant from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
"The crash statistics for this quarter indicate that 12.9% of drivers were speeding, 12% were not wearing a seatbelt, 9.6% of drivers were driving impaired with alcohol and drug, and 4.8% were distracted," said Suzanne Dapprich, Safe Communities program coordinator at Knox Public Health.
The Knox County Safe Communities Coalition is a community-based initiative coordinated by Knox Public Health and funded by the Ohio Department of Public Safety and the Ohio Traffic Safety Office. It focuses on raising awareness and promoting safe driving practices to reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities. The coalition implements programs such as Coffee with a Cop, seat belt checks, educational events, and public outreach through local festivals and schools. These activities receive support from law enforcement agencies, emergency services, and various local and state organizations.
Knox Public Health provides services related to disease prevention, environmental health, and health education throughout Knox County. The agency addresses public health concerns including water contamination, food safety issues, improper waste disposal practices, and communicable disease outbreaks. Staff conduct regular inspections of restaurants, pools, septic systems; provide vaccinations; monitor air and water quality; and offer health programs. The department also supports initiatives focused on smoking prevention, child safety measures, and emergency preparedness. Community involvement along with partnerships with other agencies form part of its strategy to improve local health outcomes.
