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Published: January 6, 2020

2019 TRAFFIC FATALITIES UPDATE: WYANDOT COUNTY

The Wyandot County Safe Community Coalition is encouraged to report that there were no fatal traffic accidents on Wyandot County roadways in the last four months; however, we are sad to report that, when looking back, there was a significant increase in fatalities in 2019.

According to Jeff Ritchey, Wyandot County Safe Communities Coordinator, during 2019, eight individuals lost their lives in seven separate fatal car crashes in Wyandot County. This is double the current Wyandot County 10 year average of four fatalities per year, and the most in any year since 2010, when 11 individuals lost their lives in fatal accidents.

When reviewing the cause for the increase in fatalities, there was no one factor to blame. “We actually sit down with Local and State Officials and look at each fatal accident that occurred on Wyandot County roadways in order to try to identify a specific reason for each fatality” Said Ritchey. “Last year contributing factors to deaths included everything from drunk driving, drivers failing to yield, and lack of seatbelt usage. Unfortunately, these causes are all preventable and are the things we have been trying to educate the public about for years.”

As we travel into 2020, drivers are encouraged to protect themselves and their families by following these basic lifesaving tips:

• Buckle Up. Every Trip. Every Time.
• Never drink and drive.
• Stay focused, don’t text and drive.
• Slow down. Heed speed limits, as well as road conditions, when travelling.

Please remember, it only takes a second to become a statistic. Be safe, be smart, and be alert as you travel the roadways this winter.

Wyandot County Public Health is nationally accredited through the Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB). Established in 2007, PHAB is the non-profit organization that administers the national accreditation program, which aims to advance and transform public health practice by championing performance improvement, strong infrastructure, and innovation.