Local police receive awards from AAA for efforts to prevent deadly crashes

INDEPENDENCE — Icy roads led to early morning crashes Thursday across Northeast Ohio. Elyria Police Chief Bill Pelko said his officers responded to a few as motorists struggled with the first accumulation of lake effect snow. Avon Lake Police Lt. Fran Tibbetts said drivers along the lakefront also had trouble adjusting. "We've seen this dramatic change now with the weather. We know winter's coming," he said. Both departments were presented Thursday afternoon with AAA Platinum Community Traffic Safety Awards in a ceremony at the Embassy Suites in Independence. Amherst police earned a gold award and Avon police earned silver. About two dozen law enforcement agencies from across Greater Cleveland were praised by AAA for efforts to prevent traffic deaths. "Everything you do matters, and how you are doing it is impressive," AAA East Central Safety Adviser Lori Cook told police. So far this year, there have been 1,114 traffic deaths in Ohio, according to the auto club. In Lorain County, the Ohio Department of Public Safety has counted 19, and a combined 68 more in the previous three years. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimated that 20,175 people died in traffic crashes in the first half of this year alone. The first quarter of 2022 saw a record increase in fatalities, but the period from April to June had the first decline in deaths since the third quarter of 2020. "Traffic deaths appear to be declining for the first time since 2020, but they are still at high levels that call for urgent and sustained action," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, promising to redouble efforts to reduce deadly crashes. Police have also taken casualties. Of the 198 law enforcement officers who have died this year, 27 died in auto crashes and one died in a motorcycle crash. The Officer Down Memorial Page, which tracks those numbers, said 11 died due to vehicular assault, four in chases and three after being struck by a vehicle. Four of those who died were Ohio officers. Pelko said he wants to be aggressive in preventing all traffic-related deaths in Elyria. "We always have problems with speeders — speeders in school zones, speeders who just won't slow down," he said. Drivers can help make streets safer by leaving early, slowing down and defrosting windshields and mirrors, he said. The big focus for Amherst police is stopping dangerous drivers on Route 2, Chief Mark Cawthon said. "We see a lot of it, with higher speeds, aggressive lane changes, tailgating, that sort of thing," he said. Cawthon plans to run extra patrols during the holiday season, when intoxicated driving surges. He said Amherst officers will especially be watching rush hour traffic. Route 83 is where Avon Lake officers see a high volume of crashes, according to Tibbitts. He said frequent fender benders there are the result of bumper-to-bumper traffic. The Platinum Award recognized Avon Lake officers' work to significantly reduce crashes every year from 2017 to 2021, he said. Installing speed radar signs has helped slow drivers and more are going up every year, he said. The department also has emphasized crosswalk safety, using schools and social media to get its message out. Now Ohio may be poised for a change that would give police another tool. The Ohio House has passed a bill that — if adopted by the Senate — would make texting and driving a primary offense. Tibbits said there's always been a law on the books against distracted driving, but a specific law about texting is "necessary." Jason Hawk can be reached at (440) 329-7122 or news@lcnewspapers.com.