COLUMBUS, Ohio — Over the past four years, the Ohio State Highway Patrol has reported a staggering 9,811 crashes in the state where vehicle defects were identified as a contributing factor. Among these incidents, brake failures and tire blowouts were the most frequently cited factors in vehicle defect-related accidents.
Tragically, 46 of these crashes resulted in fatalities, claiming the lives of 54 individuals on Ohio roadways. Additionally, a total of 2,819 people were injured in such crashes during the same timeframe, with tire blowouts being the leading cause in 28 percent of fatal incidents.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine has issued a statement urging drivers to regularly inspect their vehicles for safety issues to prevent avoidable accidents. He emphasized the importance of vehicle maintenance in ensuring road safety for all drivers.
Statistics revealed that older vehicles were involved in nearly half of all vehicle defect-related crashes from 2019 to 2023. Vehicles manufactured between 2001 and 2010 accounted for 47 percent of these incidents, while those from model years 2011 to 2020 were involved in 29 percent of crashes.
Colonel Charles A. Jones, Superintendent of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, stressed the importance of proper vehicle maintenance to avoid putting lives at risk. He warned that operating a vehicle that is not in good working order can have serious consequences for both the driver and others on the road.
The Patrol encourages residents to report unsafe driving or request assistance by dialing #677 while on Ohio roadways. Detailed information on vehicle defect-related crashes and other traffic safety statistics can be accessed on the Patrol’s Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS) Crash Dashboard.