Some crash numbers about the same despite virus-emptied roads

Despite having fewer vehicles on the road during the statewide coronavirus shutdown, the number of accidents reported by some law enforcement offices has remained about the same.

Lt. John Westerfield said since March 15, the number of accidents handled by the Ohio State Highway Patrol Wapakoneta Post has been about the same as in the same time period in 2019.

Fewer vehicles had been out during the statewide shutdown, but some people who kept traveling apparently began ignoring the usual rules of the road, Westerfield said, adding with the reduction in traffic, people had begun speeding more and committing other traffic infractions such as rolling through stop signs.

Westerfield also noted that citations issued by his post had been reduced, but the number of warnings issued had almost doubled during this period.

Patrol officers never stopped pulling over people, which Westerfield said was a common misconception. To avoid unnecessary exposure, both for troopers and motorists, officials had advised them to stop people only for serious violations or behavior that could lead to accidents.

They're not alone. Other law enforcement offices, such as the Mercer County Sheriff's Office and Celina Police Department, implemented similar policies. Roads were still being watched and patrolled, and blatant violations would earn a traffic stop, but overall, officers reduced the number of traffic stops and issued more warnings than citations.

Increased speeding and other road violations had become a national problem during the coronavirus pandemic, Westerfield said. When his office began hearing reports of increased speeding, some patrols were pulled off less busy roads to focus on the interstate.

With long stretches of empty road, speeders thought nothing could stop them, Westerfield said. Yet as surveillance of the interstates increased, the state began to reopen and more people returned to the roads, he's noticed speeding issues have begun to fall.

It's hard to go 90 mph on the interstate when there's always someone in front of you, he said.

Aggressive drivers and people who ignore the rules of the road will always be an issue, pandemic or not, Westerfield said. Therefore, motorists are asked to continue using defensive driving habits to make the road safer for everyone.