Intersection crashes increase during holidays

COLUMBUS (December 13, 2011)

Although the holidays are the most wonderful time of the year, they can also be one of the most dangerous as motorists are more likely to be involved in a crash – especially at busy intersections near malls and shopping districts.

According to the Ohio Department of Transportation, intersection crashes spiked nearly 20 percent during the 2010 holiday shopping season (Thanksgiving to Christmas day) when compared to other months of the year. In addition, intersection crashes increase dramatically on Sunday, which is typically the safest day to travel throughout the year.

“Heavy traffic, complex traffic patterns and multiple driveways near intersections increase the potential for people and vehicles to collide,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray. “You can avoid a crash and reduce the risk of serious injuries by being patient and giving walking, riding or driving your full attention around malls this holiday season.”

In 2010, there were 12,256 crashes at intersections in Ohio during the shopping season – 4,329 people were injured and 33 people were killed. Most crashes were angle and rear-end collisions, often caused by motorists following too close to other vehicles or misjudging the gap in traffic when turning at an intersection or driveway. Cell phones, texting and other distractions are also an increasing concern. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration estimates that about 23 percent of all crashes nationwide involve cell phone use.

“You can prevent crashes in Ohio by ‘parking’ your cell phone until your vehicle is safely parked,” Wray added. “No call or text is worth the potential risk.”

ODOT District 7 will host intersection safety awareness events at the following locations: – Wal-Mart on Kingsridge Drive in Miami Township on Wednesday, December 14th – The Upper Valley Mall in Springfield on Friday, December 16th Both events are open to the public and will take place between the hours of 9 am and 2 pm. “We thank both retailers for partnering with ODOT to bring this important safety information to drivers,” said District Deputy Director Randy Chevalley.

ODOT District 7 will also host Safe Driving Events at the following schools throughout our district: – Greenville High School on Monday, December 12th – Coldwater High School on Tuesday, December 13th ODOT urges drivers to keep these intersection safety tips in mind to protect themselves and their passengers this holiday season:

1. Stay alert, slow down and drive defensively when approaching an intersection. Allow extra time to get to your destination.
2. Avoid distractions such as using a mobile phone, eating, drinking and listening to loud music while driving.
3. Don’t try to beat a red light. Traffic signals are there to guide motorists through complex turns and other traffic movements, as well as provide safe crossings for pedestrians and bicyclists.
4. Be cautious, even with a green light, and look both ways before entering an intersection to make sure all cross traffic has stopped.
5. Never change lanes in an intersection. Changing lanes increases confusion and adds to the complexity of successfully navigating through an intersection. 6. Watch for increased pedestrian and bicycle traffic at intersections.
6. Buckle up. It can significantly increase your chance of surviving a crash.
7. Do not drink and drive. Impaired driving is a leading cause of fatalities and serious injuries.
8. Maintain a safe stopping distance between you and the vehicle ahead. ODOT recommends one car length for every 10 mph.
9. Don’t crowd the plow. The holidays mean the return of snow and ice conditions. Increase your distance between cars, trucks and plows during storm events. If you have to pass a plow, use extreme caution and beware of the snow cloud.

Intersection safety is one of the major roadway safety initiatives in ODOT’s “Every Move You Make, Keep it Safe” campaign. Programs include Safe Routes to Schools, Roadway Departure Crash Reduction and Intersection Safety. The public is invited to find out more by visiting www.everymove.ohio.gov. ###

Montgomery County

(Wednesday, December 7, 2011)
A single lane closure will be in effect on the ramp from Austin Boulevard to I-75 southbound beginning Wednesday, December 7^th at 9 am. The affected lane is scheduled to reopen to motorists the same day by 3 pm. One lane of traffic will remain open to motorists on that ramp at all times. This will not affect the mainline of I-75.

This closure is due to a contractor making pavement repairs in that area.

Arrow boards and signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming lane closure. Law enforcement will be on hand to monitor traffic flow.

Safety is a top priority at ODOT.  To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone.

All work is weather permitting.

2012 Montgomery County Dog Licenses will be sold December 1, 2011 through February 29, 2012. Miami Township provides an outpost to Montgomery County for the public’s convenience to purchase dog tags.

Dog owners need to be aware of a fee change.

Owners whose dogs have been spayed or neutered will continue to pay the current $20 license fee. However, owners whose dogs have not been altered will pay $24 per dog license beginning on December 1, 2011.

“Unaltered and unlicensed dogs comprise the majority of the animals impounded during calls for service and those involved in bites or injuries handled by Public Health – Dayton & Montgomery County,” said Montgomery County Animal Resource Center Director Mark Kumpf. “We are facing serious budget challenges as we head into the new year and this adjustment will allow the ARC to continue to provide the quality services our citizens have come to know.”

A recent survey by the County Auditor showed over 90% of dog owners support differential licensing for spayed and neutered dogs.

There are exceptions made for dog breeders who have proper registration and hunters who have a valid hunting license and use their dog for hunting. In addition, dogs who are medically certified by their veterinarian as being too old or health compromised may receive the discounted rate by providing certification with their application to the Auditor’s Office.

All currently licensed dogs registered as spayed or neutered will automatically receive the differential rate. Newly acquired dogs or those applying for the differential rate can:

• Provide veterinary records confirming spay / neuter status
• Submit a form provided by the County and completed by their veterinarian
• Submit a legal affidavit affirming that their dog is altered

Montgomery County Auditor Karl Keith reminds citizens that licenses are available online at www.mcohio.org/dogs, at the County Auditor’s Office, the Animal Resource Center and numerous outposts. Call 937-225-4314 for more information. Montgomery County is now able to accept credit cards via the web.

Ohio Revised Code provides for criminal enforcement for fraudulently acquired licenses. In the event a dog is impounded and determined to have an incorrect license, a citation may be issued and the tag forfeited.

Dog license sales are the Animal Resource Center’s major source of funding. Proceeds from license sales ensure that the Animal Resource Center can care for stray and lost animals, spay and neuter every animal that leaves the center as an adopted pet and provide animal control services throughout the County.

The Animal Resource Center is a nationally recognized shelter providing excellent service and care to the citizens of Montgomery County and their pets.

Montgomery County Health Department offers immunizations at the Miami Township Government Offices, beginning with February 2012 year, the first Thursday of every other month.

Miami Township Calendar of Events, click here.

Montgomery County (Friday, December 2, 2011)

Brief lane closures will be in effect on I-75 northbound near Austin Boulevard beginning Friday, December 2^nd at 8 pm. One lane will be closed between 8 pm and 9 pm. Two lanes will be closed between 9 pm and midnight. The affected lanes are scheduled to reopen to motorists Saturday, December 3^rd at midnight. One lane of traffic will remain open to northbound motorists at all times.

These closures are due to a contractor completing a bridge repair and applying concrete sealer at that location.

Arrow boards and signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming lane closures. Law enforcement will be on hand to monitor traffic flow.

Safety is a top priority at ODOT.  To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone.

All work is weather permitting.

Ohio Department of Transportation

Between Dryden Road and SR 725

Montgomery County (Tuesday, November 29, 2011)

An overnight lane closure will be in effect on I-75 southbound between Dryden Road and SR 725 beginning Tuesday, November 29^th at 7 pm. The affected lane is scheduled to reopen to motorists Wednesday, November 30^th at 6 am. Two lanes of traffic will remain open to southbound motorists at all times.

This closure is due to a contractor removing a portable barrier wall in that area.

Arrow boards and signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming lane closure. Law enforcement will be on hand to monitor traffic flow.

Safety is a top priority at ODOT.  To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone.

All work is weather permitting.

From the desk of Police Chief John C. Krug

On Saturday, December 3, 2011 at 9:00AM, the Arthritis Foundation will be hosting the “Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis” at the Miami Township Dayton Mall. To create a safe 5K Run/Walk course, it will be necessary to close several streets and create detours for a maximum of two hours beginning at 8:30AM on December 3, 2011.

The Miami Township Police Department clearly recognizes that these road closures and detours will impact traffic flow, and for a short period of time, create a level of inconvenience for your employees and/or customers. Therefore; we have designed a road closure and detour plan to minimize the impact on local businesses and we are providing you with specific details of the closures and detours so you may alert your employees and customers to the informational contained in this communication.

Road closures and detours will be in place no longer than absolutely necessary and we will do our best to direct motorists around the road closures and through the detours to get to your business if at all possible. Police officers will be posted at all road closures to help handle any emergencies or answer any questions that motorists may ask.

Listed below are the roads that will be closed and the approximate time of the closures. We anticipate shutting down some roads at 8:30AM and others at 8:45AM; and opening them back up prior to 10:30 AM. Some roads may open up more quickly as the last runners/walkers pass through a road closure.

Lyons Road between State Route 741 and Washington Church Road

From 8:45AM to 10:30 AM.

Completely shut down to vehicular traffic. Vehicular traffic to businesses located on Lyons Road to the west of the Miami Township Office Complex will be allowed as safety allows. Access may be obtained through the old Wal-Mart parking lot on the southeast comer of St. Rt. 741 and Lyons Road.

Newmark Drive between Lyons Road and Hunt Drive

From 8:45 AM to 10:30 AM.

Completely shut down to vehicular traffic.

Gander Creek Drive

Closed from 8:45AM to 10:30 AM.

Completely shut down to vehicular traffic.

Kingsridge Drive between State Route 725 and State Route 741

Kingsridge Road at Lyons Ridge Road will be closed to all traffic for approximately 20 minutes beginning at 9:00AM.

Once all participants in the Run/Walk are initially through the intersection of Lyons Ridge Road and Kingsridge Drive, Kingsridge Drive will re-open to vehicular traffic, but vehicular traffic will be held periodically on Kingsridge Drive, as participants return to the Dayton Mall.

Mall Ring Road on the south side of the Dayton Mall from the east side ofMacy’s parking lot to the south side of Sears lower level parking lot

Completely closed from 8:30 AM to I 0:30 AM.

Completely shut down to vehicular traffic .

Lyons Ridge Road between Kingsridge Drive and Mall Ring Road

Completely closed from 8:30 AM to I 0:30 AM.

Completely shut down to vehicular traffic.

Lyons Ridge Road between Lyons Road and Kingsridge Drive

Completely closed from 8:45 AM to 10:30 AM.

Completely shut down to vehicular traffic.

Kingsridge Drive

Kingsridge Drive will remain open, but traffic will be periodically stopped at Lyons Ridge Road for runners and walkers. The longest delay for traffic on Kingsridge Drive will occur at the start of the race at approximately 8:45AM. No turns from Kingsridge Road onto Lyons Ridge Road will be permitted during the event.

Please accept Miami Township’s and my apologies for any inconvenience these road closures and detours may cause. These actions are necessary to guarantee the safety and security of all participants in the 5K Run/Walk.

If you have questions, please feel free to give me, Sgt. Jay Phares or Major John DiPietro a call at 937-433-2301.

Ohio Department of Transportation

Montgomery County (Monday, November 28, 2011)

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) District 7 is asking for public feedback on the first phase of the I-75 Modernization project through downtown Dayton.  This phase of the three phase project reconstructed I-75 and added
three continuous lanes in both directions in the area that includes Main Street and State Route 4. The reconstructed portion of I-75 eliminated the sharp curve that previously existed near I-75 and SR 4, as well as replaced bridges and
improved ramps and pavement. The project began in 2007 and was recently completed.

Motorists are asked to fill out a brief survey online to give ODOT their feedback.  The survey can be found online at www.I75commuting.com “The roadway users and surrounding communities’ feedback is critical for the Department to find ways to improve and do better. This survey can help us do just that,” said District 7 Deputy Director Randy Chevalley.

The second phase of the I-75 Modernization project is currently underway on I-75 at the US 35 interchange. The third and final phase is the downtown area and is currently in final design.

Survey entries accepted online. Anyone interested in filling out the survey can log on to www.I75commuting.com  and answer a brief set of questions. Survey participants will be placed in a weekly drawing for a free gas card courtesy of MVRPC.

Montgomery County (Tuesday, November 22, 2011)

The single lane closure on the ramp from Austin Boulevard to I-75 southbound originally scheduled to begin Tuesday, November 22^nd at 9 am has been postponed. This ramp closure will be rescheduled after the Thanksgiving holiday. A new traffic advisory will be sent out with the new closing date.

This closure is due to a contractor making pavement repairs in that area.

Arrow boards and signs will be in place prior to the work zone to alert motorists of the upcoming lane closure. Law enforcement will be on hand to monitor traffic flow.

Safety is a top priority at ODOT.  To help ensure the safety of the construction workers as well as the traveling public, motorists should remain alert, reduce their speed and watch for stopped traffic while passing through the work zone.

All work is weather permitting.