Fewer vehicles do not make rural roads safer
By Paula Pyzik Scott
Iconoclast View
The Ada Icon and other regional news outlets have recently had a flurry of reports on fatal and injury traffic crashes. Ran red light/stop sign has been cited in several crashes. These incidents make me sad, scared and angry–feelings that are shared by many who are commenting on social media about the crashes and seeking ways to prevent injuries and fatalities.
Can anything be done? Online comments indicate that requests for flashing stop signs at intersections near Ada have been denied. Rumble strips and speed bumps were also mentioned in social media comments.
In my limited experience researching traffic controls, statistics are king. If the traffic or crash count for a location isn't judged statistically significant, you don’t get the traffic signal or flashing stop sign you are requesting.
However, having fewer vehicles on rural roads does not make them safer. A July 2024 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study of 2022 data shows that an estimated 20 percent of the U.S. population lived in rural areas. An estimated 41 percent of traffic fatalities occurred in rural areas. During the study period, fatal crashes were:
- 64% roadway departures
- 28% speed related
- 51% unrestrained passengers
Failure to yield statistics were not provided in this study cited at https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813599
The Federal Highway Administration reported that in 2022 over one-quarter of traffic fatalities involved unsignalized intersections in a study cited at https://highways.dot.gov/safety/intersection-safety/about)
In my limited experience, finding the agency that will help address the problem can be like a game of hot potato. While the Hardin County Sheriff’s office, the Ada Police Department and The Ohio State Highway Patrol respond to crashes and provide crash data, their input in decisions about traffic controls is limited. Hardin County and Allen County Engineers are responsible for some routes while the Ohio Department of Transportation District 1 is responsible for others.
The attached graphic from the Ohio State Highway Patrol crash dashboard reveals that Ran Red/Stop Sign is the variable of greatest frequency for crashes in Hardin County. From 1/1 2019 to 11/12/2024, there were 133 crashes identified as Ran Red Light/Stop Sign. There were 61 mature-related crashes identified and 47 youth-related crashes in the count.
With this in mind, I know I’ll be driving more cautiously on 2-lane roads that speed drivers from one community to another. I'll be scanning the area for cars approaching on my left and right. And I’ll be ready to provide feedback to local authorities about intersections where I feel added safety measures are needed.
ODOT Region 1 - Lima
Chris Hughes, P.E., District Deputy Director
Feedback form
1885 N. McCullough St.
Lima, OH 45801
419-222-9055
Hardin County Engineer
Lucas J. Underwood, P.E., P.S.
http://co.hardin.oh.us/engineers/contact.php
1040 W. Franklin Street
Kenton, Ohio 43326
419-674-2222
Allen County Engineer
Brion E. Rhodes, P.E.,P.S.
https://allencountyohengineer.com/aceo-staff-directory/
1501 North Sugar Street
Lima, Ohio 45801
419-996-7104
