The Ohio Department of Public Safety’s (ODPS) Ohio Traffic Safety Office held its sixth car give-away at the Enforcement Expo Tuesday.

32 agencies, including the Marion City Police Department, were chosen from the more than 870 law enforcement partners that committed to conduct high-visibility education and enforcement during two national safety mobilizations, the Click It or Ticket seat belt safety campaign and the Drunk Driving - Over the Limit/Under Arrest campaign. Those chosen not only participated in the safety mobilizations, but also went above and beyond in their efforts to keep Ohioans safe.

While the Guernsey and Auglaize County Sheriff’s Departments won police vehicles, all of the agencies at the event were recipients of some of the more than $300,000 in traffic safety equipment to assist in their efforts.

“Reducing fatalities on our roads is a team effort,” said ODPS Director Henry Guzmán. “One department cannot do it alone. We are proud to have these agencies as partners. Their work has had a direct impact on reducing our fatality numbers and saving lives, and we hope the traffic safety equipment we’ve been able to provide will further aide their efforts.”

The funds for the cruisers and other safety equipment come from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which funds prevention programs for traffic safety issues through programs that focus on high-visibility enforcement and heightened public awareness. Local law enforcement and safety partners receive the grants and guidance through the Ohio Traffic Safety Office which coordinates the campaigns and safety efforts on a statewide basis.

ODPS works to reduce alcohol-related deaths and injuries on Ohio’s roads through the coordinated efforts of all of its Divisions. The Ohio Investigative Unit enforces liquor, tobacco and food stamp laws in liquor permit premises and the Ohio State Highway Patrol enforces traffic laws. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office funds the efforts of Operating a Vehicle while Impaired (OVI) Task Forces and other grants for law enforcement to combat impaired and unsafe driving. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office also promotes educational programs, coalition-building efforts and campaigns focused on highway safety.

In 2007 there were 1,257 deaths on Ohio’s roads. So far in 2008 there have been 153 fewer deaths reported on Ohio’s roads compared to the same time period in 2007. ODPS’ efforts continue to be focused on the national goal of reducing highway fatalities to less than one fatality per 100 million vehicle miles traveled by 2011.