The Richland County Safe Communities Coalition reports that for the month of September there were no traffic deaths in Richland County. There have been five (5) total traffic-related deaths this year in Richland County.
In 2015 there were three traffic fatalities and 13 for the year through September. The five fatalities this year are the lowest since the Richland County Safe Communities Coalition began keeping records in 2004. The chart below reflects the five-year totals of traffic-related fatalities in Richland County for September and for the first nine (9) months of the year:
Year September Fatalities Through Nine Months
2016 0 5
2015 3 13
2014 2 9
2013 1 6
2012 0 11
According to the Federal Highway Administration’s comprehensive costs for traffic fatalities, each fatality has a comprehensive cost of $1.4 million associated with it. The five traffic fatalities this year have cost Richland County $7 million.
October is the perfect time to remind Richland County drivers to be aware of the increased presence of deer on the roadway. In 2014, half of the 19,705 deer-related crashes in Ohio occurred between October and December. In addition to millions of dollars in damages, these incidents caused 798 injuries, as well as four fatalities, to the vehicle occupants. Richland County recorded 510 deer-vehicle crashes last year, the second highest county total in Ohio.
Source: Richland Public Health
