Failure to yield often to blame for crashes

OHP: 1 in 5 crashes in state caused by drivers who failed to yield right-of-way

The Ohio Highway Patrol, along with law enforcement agencies around Northeast Ohio, wants to remind motorists why it’s so important to pay attention at intersections, yield the rightof-way and stay alert behind the wheel.

According to OHP statistics, 16 percent of all crashes with proven causes involved a driver who failed to yield the right-of way: those who did not stop at red lights, stop signs, yield signs, etc.

A June 4 news release from the Chardon Post of the Ohio Highway Patrol states: “In total, 51,976 crashes on Ohio’s roadways (in 2017) occurred when the at-fault driver failed to yield.”

The release elaborates, adding that these types of wrecks tend to be more destructive than others.

“These crashes tend to be more severe than other types of crashes,” the release states.

“Last year, 207 deaths and 30,443 injuries were the result of failure to yield crashes.”

The state’s statistics show that, in 2017, OHP troopers wrote 20,567 tickets involving a failure-to-yield violation, which was slightly higher than in 2016.

Other area law enforcement agencies also urge caution at intersections to help stem the rising tide of these kinds of wrecks, whether they involve motor vehicles, bikes or pedestrians.

“Motor vehicle operators, bicycle riders, and pedestrians alike must share the roadways,” Euclid Police Department Public Information Officer Lt. Mitch Houser writes in a June 5 email exchange. “By obeying the posted traffic control signs and devices, and paying attention at all times, we can make the roadways as safe as possible.”

Houser added that, with all the driver-distractions out there, it’s important for each and every motorist to be alert and defensive behind the wheel.

“Any number of things can contribute to a traffic crash. A driver may be texting, reading their GPS, distracted by a passenger, or be unfamiliar with the area traffic patterns,” Houser writes.

“Drivers can also unexpectedly suffer a disabling medical condition or be operating under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Since we can never really be sure what another driver may do, it is imperative that we pay constant attention to the roadway and be prepared to take an emergency action to avoid a crash. Don’t assume that a stop sign or a yield sign will cause another vehicle to stop or yield to you.”

Likewise, Lake County Sheriff Daniel A. Dunlap said there are plenty of ways to get into a failure-to-yield crash.

“There are many ways you can become involved in this kind of crash,” Dunlap said. “It can be at a red light at an intersection. It can be at a stop sign. It can be while making a left-hand turn and it can be while exiting a driveway or a parking lot, when the other driver is just traveling down the road and isn’t able to stop in time. There are a lot of ways you can get into trouble with failure to yield.”

The sheriff added that he even has to remind himself how busy Lake County roads have become.

“You know, I’ve been driving around Concord Township, Painesville Township, all around Lake County, and there’s just so much more traffic lately. I have to tell myself to be patient,” he said. “You have to watch yourself. You have to ask yourself: ‘What’s the big hurry here?’ Wait for a break in the oncoming traffic. Watch for a space in that line of oncoming cars. Then you can be safe about pulling out into traffic.”

Dunlap also brought up the fact that, this time of year, there are more motorcycles on the road and other motorists need to take the extra care to ensure they’re seeing everything out there on the roadway — not just passenger vehicles and trucks.

“It’s this time of year that motorcycles are getting back on the road and, especially because they aren’t afforded the same kind of protection as other types of vehicles —cars, trucks, vans, et cetera — drivers need to be especially aware of their presence.”

He added this overall piece of advice, too.

“We’re all in such in a rush-rush situation these days. Everybody’s in a hurry,” Dunlap said. “Just slow down. Enjoy the ride. Be safe.”

The Ohio Highway Patrol echoed the sheriff’s sentiments.

“We know traffic can be frustrating,” OHP Chardon Post Commander Lt. Larry Roberts said.

“Motorists should remain calm, be aware of your surroundings and yield for vehicles that have the right-of-way.”

KRISTI GARABRANDT — THE NEWS-HERALD Trooper Andrew Day of the Ohio State Highway Patrol explains to a driver the importance of stopping at a stop sign.