CHILLICOTHE, Ohio — Ross County Sheriff George W. Lavender, Jr. announced today that the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s (ODPS) Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) has awarded $20,071.85 in federal traffic safety funding to the Ross County Sheriff’s Office for fiscal year 2024.
“These funds are critical in ensuring that we are doing everything we possibly can to keep our local community safe,” said Sheriff Lavender. “Based on crash data, distracted driving, speed, impaired driving, and restraint use are priorities for Ross County, and we are committed to working with our partners at the state level to address these safety issues.”
Crash data shows that over a three-year period, 328 crashes related to impaired driving caused 123 injuries and 14 fatalities in Ross County. To reduce these numbers, the Ross County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting high-visibility enforcement initiatives, including working overtime hours.
The funds are distributed by OTSO, which receives them from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The grants support statewide traffic safety efforts with a focus on areas like seatbelt use, combating drunk driving, motorcycle safety, and young driver education.
OTSO awards grants through a competitive process, prioritizing projects that will have the most significant impact on reducing fatal crashes or improving traffic safety systems.