Safe Communities of Wood County
Safe Communities of Wood County advocates for awareness of traffic related incidents and deaths through education initiatives to develop a safer Wood County.
Safe Communities of Wood County strives to improve the overall traffic safety of Wood County by reaching the following goals:
- 100% of Wood County will wear their seatbelt while in the vehicle and/or driving
- Increase awareness of traffic safety related issues such as distracted driving, impaired driving, and motorcycle safety awareness
- Promote traffic safety to students of all ages and the citizens of Wood County
Who Are We
The Safe Communities coalition is a grant funded program through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office. The grant is a pass-through from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the funding is based upon a 3-year average of traffic fatalities within the county. Bowling Green State University has served as the lead agency for this grant the past 12 years.
Accomplishments
Created a contest to get the youth involved in creating billboard signs on distracted driving. Wood County youth are invited to design a sign that raises awareness about distracted driving, with a chance for their artwork to be featured on a local billboard.
(2024 - Present)
Collaborated with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, Ohio Department or Transportation, Sheriffs Offices in Wood, Sandusky, and Henry County to bring awareness to the dangers of Driving on the State Route 6 during the 100 deadliest days of summer.
(2018 - 2022)
Launched a campaign that helped purchase a driving simulator for use in Wood County to bring education and awareness to the problems of Impaired and Distracted Driving
(2016 - Present)
Created the “Swallow Your Pride, Call for a Ride” program that provided free rides home on New Year’s Eve to those within the City of Bowling Green and the surrounding 10 mile radius of BG.
(2013 - 2020)
Piloted a unique program that brings the CarFit education to the mature drivers of Wood County on a 1:1 basis instead of a group setting. This has proven to increase participants as it eases the mature drivers' anxiety of asking questions and erroneous concern of law enforcement taking their drivers licenses.
(Present)
Yearly Statistics
2024 Statistics
- 3,375 total crashes
- 19 fatalities
- 723 injury crashes
- 2633 property damage crashes
No. 1 cause of a car crash is failure to stop at a stop sign
- 50% of fatalities
- 15% failure to yield
- 12% speeding
- 12% unbelted
- 34% young drivers
- 33% mature drivers
- 14% deer-related
Updated: 02/26/2026 02:14PM