For Immediate Release CONTACT: Christine Margalis, (440) 350-2879
October 12, 2011 LAKE COUNTY GENERAL HEALTH DISTRICT
LAKE COUNTY GENERAL HEALTH DISTRICT RECEIVES $42,000 IN TRAFFIC SAFETY GRANTS
Federal Funds from Office of Criminal Justice Services Help Save Lives in Lake County
Deputy Health Commissioner Ron Graham today announced the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s Office of Criminal Justice Services (OCJS) awarded $42,000 in federal traffic safety funding to Lake County General Health District for federal fiscal year (FFY) 2012.
“Partnerships are critical to the success of any safety effort and we are committed to working with law enforcement and other safety partners to address traffic safety concerns in Lake County,” said Ron Graham.
The Lake County General Health District has identified that improper seat belt use, impaired driving, and distracted driving are impacting the safety and welfare of the citizens of Lake County. To save lives and improve the quality of life for its citizens, the Lake County General Health District will use the grant funds to coordinate the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition, which will conduct education campaigns and awareness activities to promote various aspects of traffic safety. Specific events already planned include the Northcoast Motorcycle Safety Ride, Lake County Captains Bike Night, McDonald’s Buckle-Down and Teen Driver Safety Prom PSA Contest.
The primary goal of the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition is reduce the number of traffic-related fatalities in Lake County. This year, there have been seven fatal crashes with nine fatalities on Lake County’s roads.
The funds are passed through OCJS from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to support the efforts of safety partners statewide and focus on traffic safety priority areas such as restraint use, impaired driving, motorcycle safety and youthful drivers.
Competitive grant proposals are accepted and reviewed by OCJS. The FFY 2012 competitive grant process solicited grant proposals from state agencies, non-profit organizations, colleges, universities, hospitals, political subdivisions and other interested groups within selected Ohio counties and jurisdictions based upon the number of fatal crashes.
For more information about the OCJS and statewide efforts to improve safety on Ohio’s roadways, log on to http://www.ocjs.ohio.gov.
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