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May 18, 2006
ODNR TO AGAIN PROMOTE SEAT BELT USE AND HEIGHTENED ROADWAY SAFETY AT SELECTED STATE PARKS THIS SUMMER
COLUMBUS, OH - Law enforcement officers at selected state parks will again conduct traffic blitzes during peak visitation periods this summer to encourage heightened roadway safety and promote seat belt and proper child restraint use, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
The effort is part of the nationwide “Click it, or ticket!” campaign to increase roadway safety by encouraging motorists (and their passengers) to buckle up.
A grant from the Ohio Department of Public Safety will help state park officers increase their patrol efforts and raise public awareness of state laws regarding speed, seat belt and proper child restraint use, and driving under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
“Since our state parks are such popular destinations for summer travelers, it makes sense that we are part of this national effort,” said Dan West, chief of Ohio State Parks. “The same good driving habits that make for safe highways - like watching your speed and buckling up - make for safer parks for families enjoying Ohio's great outdoors.”
In addition to special patrols on the Memorial Day, July 4 and Labor Day holiday weekends, Ohio State Parks will also conduct traffic blitzes on Friday and Saturday, June 16-17, as the summer school recess swings into high gear. In addition to the patrols, speed-alert trailers will be used at several locations to remind motorists to watch their speeds in areas where pedestrians and bicyclists may be sharing park roads.
The following Ohio State Parks are participating: Alum Creek in Delaware County, Buck Creek in Clark County, Caesar Creek in Warren and Clinton counties, Cleveland Lakefront in Cuyahoga County, East Fork in Clermont County, Hueston Woods in Preble and Butler counties, Lake Milton in Mahoning County, Maumee Bay in Lucas County, Mohican in Ashland County, Mosquito Lake in Trumbull County, Portage Lakes in Summit County, Salt Fork in Guernsey County and West Branch in Portage County.
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