Wauseon, OH – Mike Oricko, Health Commissioner, announces the receipt of $31,841.52 to continue promoting safe driving in Fulton County. “I am pleased to announce that we have been awarded these funds as the ‘Fulton County Safe Communities’, and the opportunity to do all we can to reduce the number of traffic fatalities on the roadways of our community”, stated Mike Oricko. Wauseon Police Chief, Keith Torbet is also encouraged by the money received, “It is imperative to not only enforce the laws regarding traffic safety, but to continue our efforts to improve visibility of my deputies and to add education to complete our vision of a safer Fulton County.”
The grant through the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Traffic Safety Office, is funded by monies provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The Safe Communities approach is to create a community-based initiative where the expansion of resources and partnerships brings awareness for the need of traffic safety education and public awareness. The mission of Fulton County Safe Communities is to create safety programs and provide enforcement serving all communities in the Fulton County area that will lend to reducing traffic-related injuries and fatalities. In 2012 there were 14 fatalities related to vehicle accidents. That number more than doubles the 2011 statistics. Many partners are working together to decrease those numbers including law enforcement, ODOT, emergency services, county engineers, county commissioners, health department, county extension office, local insurance businesses and public safety.
“The need to add awareness of traffic safety issues with enforcement is a great concern for our county, especially for our younger drivers,” noted Chief Torbet. “Awareness and education is key to saving lives.”
“If through education, we can get people to realize how they can increase their safety by merely putting on a seatbelt or not driving impaired, we have succeeded and used this grant well,” Chief Torbet said. “The costs associated with the loss of life cannot be measured in dollars and cents, especially to those who lose someone they care about”.
The Fulton County Sheriff’s Office also has a grant through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office for High Visibility Enforcement during major Holidays and National Mobilizations Blitzes such a “Click It Or Ticket and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over”. This grant will add to the efforts of the Sheriff’s Office to make traffic safety a priority of the Office, and for the safety of citizens and visitors to the area.
For more information regarding “Fulton County Safe Communities”, contact Rachel Kinsman, Fulton County Health Department at 419-337-0915. For information on traffic related issues and programs, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration at www.nhtsa.gov
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