The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
OHP urges motorists to use caution at intersection
Aggressive enforcement to be used for failure to yield at stop signs
The Ohio Highway Patrol-Chardon Post is reporting a growing trend of fatal traffic crashes in Geauga County in 2017.
According to a Sept. 11 news release from Post Commander Lt. Charles Gullett, there is a specific contributing factor of failure to yield in regards to these crashes.
During the period of April 2, through Sept. 3, the OHP Chardon Post investigated a total of seven crashes in the county resulting in nine fatalities. More than half of them — 57 percent, or six of the nine deaths — were the result of the person at fault failing to yield at a stop sign.
“Although there has been fewer fatal crashes this year in Geauga County there has been a 12 percent increase in the number of lives lost,” according to the OHP news release.
OHP statistics show that since 2015, there have been 469 property damage crashes in Geauga County and 272 injury crashes, all with a contributing factor of failure to yield.
During a recent failure-to-yield enforcement blitz on Sept. 12 involving the aviation section of the OHP, which had a plane in the air to spot vehicles failing to stop, two patrol cars from the OHP and one from the Geauga County Sheriff’s Office, The News-Herald observed 12 stop sign citations issued within an hour at the intersection of Bell Street and Auburn Road in Newbury Township.
Many more citations could have been issued, but the three patrol cars were not enough to keep up with the amount of traffic failing to yield. At least 10 citation opportunities were missed as all three units were busy with traffic stops. At one point, the reporter observed four vehicles all traveling in the same direction approach the stop sign on Auburn Road and one right after the other go through the intersection without stopping.
The OHP is asking the public to be aware of all traffic control devices at all intersections.
OHP Sgt. Jeremy Kindler encourages parents and family to talk with youthful drivers as they receive their permits and express the importance of stopping at stop signs and traffic signals. He also encourages parents to use parental controls to restrict the use of cell phones when a GPS senses a driver is in motion. He suggest apps such as Cellcontrol, Drive Safe Mode or Live2Txt.
“Look left, look right, look left again,” Kindler said. “Spell out S.T.O.P. in your head before your proceed into any intersection. Lastly and most important, put the cellphones down. Leave that song on the radio and that Snapchat message or selfie can wait. Stay alive, don’t text and drive.”
Gullett said that the Chardon Post, with assistance from the OHP’s aviation section, “will aggressively enforce stop sign, failure to yield and other aggressive violations.”
OHP encourages all motorists to plan ahead when traveling, to eliminate rushing from one location to another. They also remind motorists to come to a complete stop for stop signs and wait until it is safe before entering the intersection.
“Except when directed to proceed by a law enforcement officer, every driver of a vehicle or trackless trolley approaching a stop sign shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none, then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting
roadway before entering it.”
For additional details regarding the stop sign procedures and laws check out www.codes.ohio.gov/ orc/4511.43.
Failure to stop at a stop sign in Geauga County will result in a $149 fine, according to Chardon Municipal Court, and points on a driver’s license which could result in higher insurance premiums.
“Motorists are urged to do their part in keeping the roadways safe by using caution, adhering to traffic laws and never driving distracted or impaired,” OHP said its release.
The public is also encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers and drug activity.