In the Community: Lorain County Safe Communities Coalition

Lorain County Safe Communities Coalition

The Mission

The Safe Communities Coalition has helped protect Lorain County for more than 25 years. “Our goal is to reduce and prevent injuries and death on Lorain County roadways,” says Amanda, a Health Education Specialist with Lorain County Public Health. “Doing that by buckling up, driving safe and sober, and focused.”

Annual Events

Click It or Ticket Campaign

The use of seat belts in passenger vehicles saved an estimated 14,668 lives in 2016. The annual Click It or Ticket campaign kicks off every May in Amherst, Ohio. This event aims to spread awareness about the importance of wearing a seat belt every time you get in a car. Guest speakers share inspirational stories, representatives pass out merchandise, and the community gathers together to discuss  safety education, important traffic laws, and how law enforcement officers can save lives.

Photo by Eric Bonzar via The Morning Journal

Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign

The Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign launches every August. The kick off event emphasizes the importance of increasing public awareness and deterring impaired driving in the community. The kick off is held to encourage others to support the campaign, get the message out, and reach as many people as possible. During the campaign, the coalition puts bottle tags on liquor bottles at Discount Drug Marts to remind people not to drink and drive as well as partnering with law enforcement to set up OVI checkpoints to discourage impaired driving.

Zero Proof Mix Off Event

Another event the coalition hosts in order to combat drunk driving is their Zero Proof Mix Off. This event is Lorain County’s biggest part with a purpose held every December. The Mix Off is a nonalcoholic drink competition between local agencies that raises awareness of drunk driving and showcases fun drink options for designated drivers during the holidays. In 2017, 20 local agencies participated and over 500 people attended.  The event is open to the public and features live music, prizes, and family-friendly fun.

Other Safe Driving Campaigns

The Safe Communities Coalition works year round on different safe driving campaigns that focus on wearing your seatbelt, motorcycle safety, and safely sharing the road with bicyclists and pedestrians. In the spring, Buckle Up for Burgers is held at participating Lorain County McDonald’s locations where individuals wearing their seatbelt receive a coupon for a free burger or bag of apple slices. Those not wearing their seatbelts get a magnet as a reminder to always buckle up. Put a Lid on It is another influential event, where business partners hold education sessions on the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle.

Get Involved!

The coalition includes representatives from local businesses, law enforcement, the OVI Taskforce, healthcare representatives and engaged local residents. The local partners help reduce traffic crashes by:

• Developing and supplementing education
• Growing and investing in enforcement
• Engineering strategies that target the worst crash types and driver behaviors in Lorain County

The ultimate goal is to eliminate all fatalities on Lorain County roadways. “Every crash is preventable, whether it’s human behavior, the way the road is designed, or something else,” says Kat Evers Solove, a Health Education Specialist with Lorain County Public Health . “We try to work to prevent more of those from happening.”
If you are interested in getting involved with the Lorain County   Safe Communities Coalition, please call 440-322-6367 or e-mail healthed@loraincountyhealth.com for more information.
–

Lorain County Safe Community Coalition