Public Safety, OSP to address lack of driver education with mentorship program

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio ( WDTN ) — The Ohio Department of Public Safety reported to the city of Springfield on Tuesday the number of traffic violations issued during its traffic blitz.

Ohio Director of Public Safety Andy Wilson spoke at a commission meeting Tuesday in response to Springfield’s calls for help due to over-extended resources.

OSP has stepped in to fill gaps in the street.

“We’re letting data drive where our troopers are patrolling,” said Wilson.

OSP has been cracking down on traffic violations for the last two weeks. At the meeting, Wilson began listing the 337 traffic violations reported. There were 136 tickets issued and 101 warnings given. Of these, 12 were for OVIs and three for felony offenses.

Wilson didn’t stop there though; he addressed a major issue adult drivers in Ohio face, something he and the governor want to address.

“There is work in progress to get driver’s training out more robustly in the community,” said Gov. Mike DeWine.

“If you’re above the age of 18, you don’t have to go through any driver’s training at all,” said Wilson.

Wilson said drivers 18 to 24 are the most dangerous demographic. Authorities want to address the issue head-on, working on a driver mentor program for adult learners.

“We know one of the things that makes a driver safer more than anything else is time behind the wheel with an actual instructor or someone who’s giving them instructions,” said Wilson.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com.