Traffic deaths in Ohio fall for fourth straight year
Traffic fatalities in Ohio decreased in 2025 for the fourth consecutive year. According to preliminary data from the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), fatalities fell by approximately 3% to 1,125 in 2025, resulting in 32 fewer lives lost.
“The fact that more people have made it home to their families the past four years is certainly worth celebrating, but make no mistake — the number of people killed on Ohio’s roads remains far too high,” said Governor Mike DeWine.
According to the OSHP, 23% of fatal crashes in 2025 were caused by driving off the roadway. Failure to yield the right of way, unsafe speed, driving left of center, following too closely, and running a stop sign were also the leading causes of fatal crashes.
In crashes involving vehicles outfitted with seatbelts, nearly 62% of individuals killed from 2021 to 2025 chose not to wear a safety belt, equating to nearly 2,500 people.
“Wearing a seatbelt is just as important as slowing down, staying alert, and obeying the law,” said Ohio State Highway Patrol Superintendent Col. Charles Jones.
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