The Ohio State Highway Patrol tackles youthful driver crashes through public outreach

CAMBRIDGE, Ohio – From 2023 to 2024, youthful drivers were involved in more than 154,000 crashes which is why the Ohio State Highway Patrol is offering educational programs.

The DRIVE to Live program allows for schools and community groups to work the the Highway Patrol through educational conversations about how to stay safe on the road and addressing the common mistakes made by drivers from ages 15 to 24.

“The easiest one is wear a safety belt. A lot of our crashes are fatal crashes is from not wearing a seatbelt, something that is extremely easy to do,” Sergeant Timothy Cunningham. “And also, distractions as far as like phones and having friends. Your job as a driver is to drive, is to pay attention to the roadway and everything that comes at you. So being able to have your attention to the road is paramount. ”

Cunningham mentioned additional resources on the patrol’s website for parents to help discuss safe driving habits with their young motorists. Cunningham went onto explain why those conversations matter.

“Driving is a perishable skill. It’s something that requires us to build them up, to make sure that they are doing everything correct, and continuously talk to them about their habits of driving,” Cunningham said. “Driving with them, being present with them and that’s what we do with a lot of these programs is just have a conversation with them of ‘hey, it’s not worth risking your life or someone else’s by speeding or following to close or not wearing a seatbelt, being impaired by drugs or alcohol.’ These are all things that are controllable.”

For more information about the DRIVE to Live program, resources to talk to your young driver at home, or other driver training programs, visit the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s website.