Lake County General Health District (LCGHD) announces that it has been awarded a total of $77,000 in federal traffic safety funding from the Ohio Department of Public Safety’s (ODPS) Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO) for federal fiscal year 2027. Funding was received to coordinate both the Lake County and Geauga County Safe Communities Coalitions in the amount $38,500 per coalition. Activities in Geauga County will be coordinated by staff members of Geauga Public Health. “Working alongside law enforcement and other community organizations, our goal is to reduce the number of traffic-related motor vehicle deaths in both Lake and Geauga Counties,” said LCGHD Population Health Coordinator, Christine Margalis.
Improper seat belt use, impaired driving, and distracted driving are impacting the safety and welfare of residents in both Lake and Geauga counties. To save lives and improve quality of life, LCGHD will use grant funds to continue to coordinate Safe Communities Coalitions which are multi-sector partnerships consisting of members of law enforcement, fire safety, traffic and engineering professionals, community organizations, and private businesses. Coalitions meet regularly, conduct educational campaigns and awareness activities that promote aspects of traffic safety, and are always open to expanding their membership.
According to data provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, as of October 15, 2026, Lake County has had 10 confirmed fatal motor vehicle crashes and Geauga County has experienced five. For more information about OTSO and statewide efforts to improve safety on Ohio’s roadways, visit https://otso.ohio.gov/index.stm. For more information on the Lake County Safe Communities Coalition, please contact Nora Larson at 440-350-2451. For information on activities in Geauga County, please contact Ella Ergazos at 440-279-1926.
