Data shows fatal crashes on the rise this year; efforts in place to curb increase

(WKBN) -- Data released by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office shows traffic fatalities are higher now than at this point last year. The agency is encouraging people to get this data turned around by practicing safe driving. So far this year, there have been 261 fatal crashes in Ohio, a 6% increase from the same time last year. A number of those crashes have taken place in Mahoning, Columbiana and Trumbull counties. To help stop the increase, the office is promoting driving skills courses for teens and a distracted driving campaign. Ford Driving Skills for Life is returning to Ohio on May 23-24, 2026, bringing its national hands-on training program designed for teen drivers to the Ford Sharonville Transmission Plant near Cincinnati. The free program features engaging, interactive stations that go beyond typical driver's education to help teens gain confidence behind the wheel. What teens will experience: There are four sessions in total. Two sessions are offered each day, with space for 100 participants per session. Teens and their parents only need to attend one session. Registration is available online. AAA Northeast hosts a course called "Shifting Gears," which is designed for high schoolers to prevent drug-impaired driving. The program combines instructor-led discussion and interactive features to explain the physical and cognitive processes that are affected by cannabis, and how those effects can impact their ability to drive safely. More information can be found on the Ohio Traffic Safety Office's website. In recognition of April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the State of Ohio is launching a new statewide public education campaign, “Only a Second,” aimed at reducing distraction-related crashes and encouraging drivers to keep their eyes on the road. Three years after Ohio’s “phones down” law took effect in April 2023, statewide crash data shows significant improvement. Data comparing March 2023, the month before the law took effect, to February 2026 shows: The new education effort was developed through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s ongoing partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The concept emphasizes that even a quick glance at a phone can have devastating consequences.