COLUMBUS – As families and friends prepare to gather together during the busy holiday travel season, the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio State Highway Patrol are utilizing the state’s 130 freeway message signs, as well as portable highway signs, to raise awareness about the growing drugged driving problem in Ohio.

The highway signs will display messages alerting travelers to the increase in drugged driving crashes. They also urge people to start talking about the drug abuse epidemic, a reference to the state’s Start Talking Initiative that encourages parents and community leaders to talk to their children about the dangers of drug use.

According to ODOT traffic crash statistics, Ohio has seen a 25 percent increase in drugged driving crashes since 2012. There have been 3,574 drugged driving crashes already this year, or about 33 percent of all impaired driving crashes. Driving a vehicle while impaired, whether by alcohol or drugs, puts the driver, passengers, roadside workers, and others who share the road at risk.

“Law enforcement officers, first responders, tow truck drivers and the majority of our workers here at ODOT do their jobs alongside our roads and highways. Their safety is at risk every time someone gets behind the wheel while impaired,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray. “There is so much that needs to be done to address this problem, but one way we can start is by talking to young people about the dangers of drug use and impaired driving.”

“Lives are forever changed when people make the decision to drive after taking drugs,” said Colonel Paul Pride, patrol superintendent. “If you see drug activity or impaired driving report it immediately to the patrol by calling #677.”

Research shows youth are up to 50 percent less likely to use drugs when parents and adults talk with them about substance use and abuse. 

Gov. John R. Kasich and First Lady Karen W. Kasich launched Start Talking! in 2014 to give parents, guardians, educators and community leaders the tools to start the conversation with Ohio’s youth about the importance of living healthy, drug-free lives.

More information about Start Talking is available at: www.StartTalking.Ohio.gov.