2018 Ohio Car Accident Statistics
Driving is probably the most dangerous thing you will do today. Every year in Ohio, thousands of car accidents occur, and more than one thousand people die, on average, in traffic accidents.
Not all car accidents can be avoided, but a great number of them are preventable. Distracted driving, drunk driving, excessive speeding, and failure to obey traffic laws are all common causes of traffic accidents. If you have been injured, contact a Columbus car accident lawyer today.
Elk & Elk represents car accident victims throughout Ohio. Over the years, we have helped thousands of accident victims seek compensation and justice. We know how difficult the aftermath of a car accident can be, and we are committed to helping our clients move on with life.
Please continue reading for 2018 Ohio state car accident statistics. We will continue to update this page as new information is available.
Traffic fatalities
The Ohio State Highway Patrol keeps a running total of traffic fatalities.
In 2017, there were 1,131 traffic fatalities in Ohio.
In 2018, there were 1,057 traffic fatalities in Ohio.
Alcohol-related traffic deaths in Ohio
According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the number of alcohol-related fatalities in Ohio, by year, were:
- 2017: 405
- 2016: 430
- 2015: 401
- 2014: 375
- 2013: 350
According to the CDC, there were 3,637 deaths caused by a drunk driver in Ohio between 2003 and 2012.
Driving after consuming alcohol or drugs can be very dangerous. In Ohio, it is illegal for a driver to operate a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Drivers with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or above can be charged with operating under the influence (OVI). Drivers under the age of 21 can be charged with operating a vehicle after underage consumption (OVAUC) if their BAC is .02 or above.
Unfortunately, Ohio’s drunk driving laws do not prevent all alcohol-related fatalities.
In 2018, there were 26,550 OVI enforcement stops in Ohio. The counties with the most OVI arrests are Cuyahoga and Franklin. Data for alcohol-related fatalities in Ohio for 2018 is not yet available.
Total car accidents in Ohio
The total number of car accidents in Ohio, by year, were:
- 2017: 65,140
- 2016: 66,395
- 2015: 69,350
- 2014: 68,904
- 2013: 65,468
Not all of these accidents resulted in injuries. The number of injury accidents in Ohio, by year, were:
- 2017: 18,832
- 2016: 19,547
- 2015: 19,646
- 2014: 19,200
- 2013: 18,586
In 2018, there were 617,173 highway patrol enforcement stops in Ohio. The counties with the most enforcement stops were Cuyahoga, Lucas, and Franklin.
Teen driver crash data
According to the CDC, car accidents are the leading cause of death for teenagers in the U.S. One-third of all teen deaths are due to car accidents.
According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, Ohio Chapter, seven percent of drivers in Ohio are under the age of 21.
The newest, youngest drivers – age 16 – have the highest risk of being involved in a car accident. Sixteen-year-old drivers have a higher risk of being in an accident than 17-year-old drivers.
In Ohio, more than 1,000 15 to 18 year-olds have died in car accidents over the past 10 years.
Free consultation: Talk to an attorney today
Elk & Elk offers a free consultation to individuals dealing with the aftermath of a car accident. To schedule a time to meet, call our Columbus personal injury lawyers at 1-800-ELK-OHIO or complete our online contact form.