Patrol Urges Drivers to Slow Down, Save Lives
Press Release
COLUMBUS – As motorists travel around and through Ohio during the summer months, the Ohio State Highway Patrol reminds drivers of the importance of following posted speed limits.
According to Patrol statistics, speeding remains a leading cause of crashes, injuries and fatalities on Ohio roadways, and slowing down is a simple yet impactful action every driver can take to promote safety for themselves and others.
Posted speed limits are not suggestions; they are carefully determined based on a variety of factors including road signs, traffic volume and surrounding environment.
“Speed limits are chosen with one goal in mind – to keep everyone traveling on the road safe,” said Governor Mike DeWine. “By following the posted speed limit and driving responsibility, drivers can prevent needless tragedies and ensure that everyone enjoys the warm months ahead.”
From 2021-2025, a total of 146,961 crashes occurred on Ohio roadways in which a driver was traveling at an unsafe rate of speed. Patrol statistics also calculate a total of 1,663 speed-related fatal crashes, resulting in 1,839 deaths over that same timeframe.
“Troopers see the devastating consequences of high-speed crashes every day,” said Colonial Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “Speeding significantly reduces your reaction time and increases the severity of a crash, which is why we will be highly visible and enforcing traffic laws on roadways across the state.”
The Patrol will continue to monitor and enforce all traffic laws, including speed limits, to deter dangerous driving behavior. However, the most effective tool in preventing speed-related crashes is the responsibility of the individual driver.
Additional information regarding Ohio crash statistics is available on the Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS) dashboard.
The public is encouraged to safely call #677 to report reckless or impaired drivers and drug activity.
(Ohio State Highway Patrol press release issued on 7/1/2026)
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