Data from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office shows traffic deaths are higher now than at this point last year. The agency is urging drivers to help reverse the trend by practicing safe driving habits.
So far this year, Ohio has recorded 261 fatal crashes, marking a 6% increase compared to the same period last year. Several of these crashes have occurred in Mahoning, Columbiana, and Trumbull counties.
To help reduce the rise, the office is promoting driving skills courses for teens and continuing a campaign against distracted driving.
Teen driving courses
Ford Driving Skills for Life will return to Ohio on May 23–24, 2026, bringing its nationwide, hands-on training program for teen drivers to the Ford Sharonville Transmission Plant near Cincinnati.
The free program offers engaging, interactive stations that go beyond traditional driver’s education, helping teens build confidence behind the wheel.
What teens will experience:
- Vehicle Handling: Hands-on exercises that sharpen steering, braking, and maneuvering skills.
- Distracted & Simulated Impaired Driving: Safe demonstrations that show the dangers of distraction and impairment behind the wheel.
- Safety in Mobility: Bike and scooter safety using immersive virtual reality tools
- Law Enforcement Engagement: Officers will demonstrate what to do during a traffic stop, how to handle a crash, and more.
There are four sessions in total, with two offered each day and space for 100 participants per session. Teens and their parents only need to attend one session, and they can register online.
AAA Northeast offers a course called “Shifting Gears,” designed for high school students to help prevent drug-impaired driving.
The program blends instructor-led discussions with interactive elements to explain the physical and cognitive effects of cannabis and how those effects can impact the ability to drive safely.
More information can be found on the Ohio Traffic Safety Office’s website.
Ohio distracted driving campaign
In recognition of April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the State of Ohio is launching a new statewide public education campaign, “Only a Second,” aimed at reducing crashes caused by distractions and urging drivers to keep their focus on the road.
Three years after Ohio’s “phones down” law took effect in April 2023, statewide crash data shows clear improvement. Data comparing March 2023, the month before the law went into effect, to February 2026 shows:
- Crashes down 10%
- Injuries down 20%
- Traffic fatalities down 46%
The new education effort was developed through the Ohio Department of Transportation’s ongoing partnership with the Ohio Department of Public Safety. The concept emphasizes that even a quick glance at a phone can have devastating consequences.
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