Ohio’s roadways have become increasingly dangerous and deadly, with the number of people losing their lives in Ohio car wrecks rising dramatically in recent years. In fact, 2021 was such a deadly year on state roadways that it saw more road deaths than any other year since 2002.
Per the Dayton Daily News, while road deaths increased in 2021, so, too, did the number of individual fatal crashes that took place within state lines.
A closer look at fatal crash statistics
In 2021, there were 1,230 road deaths that occurred across the state. The year prior, there were 1,360 such deaths. The only year on record with more Ohio road fatalities was 2002 when there 1,417 people died in Ohio car crashes. In 2021, there were also 1,227 individual fatal crashes that occurred statewide, marking the third year in a row this number rose. It was also the highest number of individual fatal crashes seen in Ohio over the past five years.
A closer look at fatal crash contributors
Speed continues to be a common factor in fatal and non-fatal car wrecks that take place across Ohio. Fatal crashes involving speed rose for the third straight year in 2021, with 401 such crashes taking place within that time. A lack of seat belt use is another common factor in Ohio fatal car wrecks, with 565 of the people who died in Ohio crashes in 2021 not wearing seat belts at the time of the deadly crash.
Motorists whose negligent actions cause injuries or fatalities on Ohio roadways may face serious sanctions.