Awards Recognition
Ohio employers have a unique opportunity to be recognized for their commitment to traffic safety – both on and off the job. The Ohio Employer Traffic Safety Awards, presented by Our Driving Concern, honor organizations that promote positive driver behaviors and help reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities on Ohio roads.
Why It Matters
The workplace is a powerful platform for sharing traffic safety messages. When employers take the lead in developing policies, offering education and incentivizing safe driving, they:
- Save lives and reduce crash-related injuries
- Lower insurance and liability costs
- Demonstrate care for employees and their families
- Serve as a role model for other organizations
About the Program
Our Driving Concern is a program of the National Safety Council, funded by the Ohio Traffic Safety Office. Our mission is to help employers implement comprehensive traffic safety programs that make a real difference.
Award Categories
Ohio employers of all sizes — municipal, corporate, private or nonprofit — are eligible to apply or be nominated. Categories include:
- Distinguished Excellence in Traffic Safety
- Excellence in Traffic Safety Culture
- Innovative Practices in Traffic Safety
- Workforce Engagement in Traffic Safety
- Small Employer Excellence in Traffic Safety
Best Practices Spotlight
Award recipients exemplify the highest standards in employee education and outreach. Their programs serve as models for others to emulate. Last year, three organizations were selected for recognition. Learn why they were selected and get ideas to ramp up your own workplace traffic safety efforts in this best-practice brochure.
Call to Action: Apply Today!
Submit your application or nominate an employer by Jan. 9 to be considered for this prestigious recognition. Show your commitment to safety and join the movement to make Ohio roads safer for everyone.
Fall Safety Check
As cooler weather sets in, Ohio drivers face a shift in road conditions that can lead to serious crashes. Soon, snow and ice on roads will be commonplace, and slick roads caused by rain and condensation from fog also will increase safety risks.
In fact, tire traction can be reduced immediately after a storm because water causes accumulated oils and other vehicle fluids to rise to the surface. To avoid risks, workplace supervisors and everyday drivers should take steps to ensure their vehicles are operating at peak performance levels.
Impact on Crash Data
Over a five-year period from 2018 to 2022, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers made more than 345,000 traffic stops where a vehicle defect was found. During the same period, 10,103 crashes were caused by a vehicle defect.
- Brake failures (19%) and tire blowouts (19%) were the most common issues in defect-related crashes
- Tire blowouts were responsible in 31% of fatal defect-related crashes
These numbers highlight the importance of preparing your vehicle and honing your driving skills for the challenges of fall and winter.
Prepare Your Vehicle
No one wants to break down in inclement weather. Start the season off right:
- Visit your mechanic for a tune-up and be sure work vehicles undergo routine maintenance
- Check for leaks, worn hoses and needed repairs
- Inspect your tires monthly and before long trips; cold weather lowers tire pressure
- Check To Protect for recalls: More than 57 million vehicles on the road today have open recalls; it’s free to check and free to make repairs at a dealership
- Know your car, especially how it handles on wet roads
Visibility is Vital
Safe driving starts with seeing and being seen:
- Clean dirt and debris from windows, headlights, taillights and sensors
- Make sure all lights are working, including trailer lights if towing
- Fill your windshield washer reservoir with winter-grade fluid and replace worn wiper blades
Driving Tips for Slick Conditions
- Slow down: Wet roads reduce traction and increase stopping distance
- Increase following distance: Give yourself extra time to react
- Avoid cruise control: Stay in full control of your vehicle
- Brake gently: Sudden stops can lead to skidding
- Don’t crowd snowplows or emergency vehicles: Give them space to work safely
Emergency Preparedness
If you get stuck or stalled:
- Stay with your vehicle and avoid overexertion
- Make your car visible with bright markers or lights
- Prevent carbon monoxide poisoning; keep the exhaust pipe clear and run the engine only as needed
Safety Starts Before You Hit the Road
Whether you’re driving a gas-powered car or an electric vehicle, preparation is key. For electric vehicles, plug in when parked and preheat the cabin before unplugging. For all vehicles, check your battery, cooling system and tire pressure regularly.
Stay proactive, stay prepared – and help keep Ohio roads safer for everyone this season.
Fasten and Feast
As families hit the road for Thanksgiving, safety advocates across Ohio are gearing up for the Click It or Ticket campaign, running Nov. 22-30. This national high-visibility enforcement effort reminds everyone that seat belts save lives – and not wearing one can have deadly consequences.
Why Seat Belts Matter
From 2020 to 2024, more than 2,500 people killed in crashes in Ohio were not buckled up, according to the Ohio State Highway Patrol. That’s more than 500 every year.
Seat belts are your first line of defense in a crash. They:
- Keep you inside the vehicle, where safety features can protect you
- Slow your momentum, reducing the force of impact
- Prevent secondary injuries, like hitting the dashboard or other passengers
Be aware: You should NOT rely on airbags alone – airbags are designed to work with seat belts, not replace them. Without a seat belt, an airbag can actually cause serious harm.
Numbers Speak Volumes
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports sobering statistics from the 2023 Thanksgiving weekend:
- 309 passenger vehicle occupants were killed nationwide
- 44% of those killed were not wearing seat belts (135)
- 47% of nighttime fatalities and 38% of daytime fatalities involved unbuckled occupants
NHTSA year-round data paints a similar picture:
- An unbuckled passenger vehicle occupant dies every 50 minutes in a crash
- In 2023, 10,484 unrestrained occupants were killed in crashes
- Nighttime driving is especially risky; 56% of those killed at night weren’t buckled up
- Young adults (18-34) are among the most at risk, with 60% of fatalities in this group being unrestrained
- Men are overrepresented in unrestrained fatalities: 53% men vs. 41% women
What You Can Do
As a safety leader, you can help. Promote seat belt use in your workplace and community. Share the facts, especially with younger drivers and nighttime commuters. Engage employees with free resources from our Safe Driving Toolkit:
- Infographics: Seat Belts
- Safety Posters: Buckle Up | Safe a Life
- Fact Sheets: Buckle Your Seat Belt
- Social Media Graphics: Buckle Up. It’s Not Just Policy. It’s Protection (graphics for Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X)
Or, play this seat belt safety video during a team safety meeting: Don’t Let Them Take the Hit.
Let’s work together to make sure everyone gets home safely this holiday season. Buckle up – every seat, every trip.
Older Drivers, Aging Workforce
As Ohio roads and workplaces evolve, one trend is clear: the population is aging – and that includes your employees and the drivers around them. Understanding this shift is key to promoting safety and supporting older workers behind the wheel as we approach Older Driver Safety Awareness Week (Dec. 1-5).
During the week, you’ll want to focus on raising awareness of age-related driving risks and providing resources for older drivers and their families to address age-related changes that can affect driving.
Why Now?
By 2030, more than one-fourth of the population in Ohio is expected to be over the age of 60, according to the Ohio Department of Aging, resulting in this group becoming the fastest-growing segment of drivers in the state.
You might be surprised to learn drivers 55 and older were involved in 525,290 crashes between 2019 and 2024, more than any other age or behavior-related category, according to an investigative report from News 5-TV Cleveland. These crashes outpaced those involving youth drivers and speed-related incidents.
Read the full report: Mature Drivers Lead Crash Stats.
Aging Workforce: A National Shift
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a steady rise in older adults staying in the workforce. More than 40 million U.S. workers are age 55 and older.
- 1 in 5 people over 65 are still working
- The older workforce has nearly quadrupled in size since the mid-1980s
Safety Implications
Older workers often maintain active lifestyles and drive more than ever. However, age-related changes – like reduced vision, slower reaction times and health conditions – can affect driving safety.
Take action to keep your older drivers safe. Review health and wellness policies. Create and share a 55-and-older driver safety checklist and include items such as these:
- Schedule annual physical and eye exams
- Meet with a doctor or pharmacist to review side effects of medications for fatigue or dizziness
- Commit to distraction-free driving – take the Just Drive Pledge from the National Safety Council
Training & Resources
Register to attend Our Driving Concern Transportation Safety Training for the Workplace. This training can be delivered online or in-person. Contact us to schedule training.
Visit the Ohio Department of Transportation website and explore links to free resources, including the Stay Fit to Drive campaign for older drivers.
Introduce CarFit, an educational program developed by AARP and the American Occupational Therapy Association. The program is dedicated to helping older drivers adjust their vehicles for better comfort and control. CarFit offers:
- On-demand workshops: Learn how to adjust features on your vehicle for better fit, like your vehicle seat, steering wheel, seat belt and head restraints
- Free guided virtual sessions (register to attend): Helping Mature Drivers Find Their Safest Fit
- Events near you (sign up to attend): Select your state and search safety training events in your area
Point to offerings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration:
- Crash data and safety tips for older drivers
- Information on driving with medical conditions
- Guidance for caregivers
- Educational videos and resources
As older adults are expected to outnumber children by 2034, it’s time to reimagine safety for seniors – at home, at work and on the road.