Traffic safety efforts stepped up this weekend
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The Ohio Department of Transportation has provided signs with safe driving messages for prom-goers that are in place at several Logan County schools, including this sign pictured Thursday by Benjamin Logan High School along State Route 47. (EXAMINER PHOTO | MANDY LOEHR) |
A number of area high school students will spend much of this weekend dressing up in their finest attire and making memories with their friends to last a lifetime.
Pupils from Benjamin Logan, Bellefontaine, Indian Lake and West Liberty-Salem Schools will hit the dance floor tonight at their respective proms, while students from Riverside Schools and the Ohio Hi-Point Career Center took part in prom activities throughout the last several weeks.
During these festivities, Logan County law enforcement also have ramped up their efforts to ensure that the students’ remembrances are happy ones by providing extra hours patrolling the roadways and also by stepping out into the community to encourage safe driving habits.
While on additional patrols during the afternoon, evening and early morning hours this weekend, officers and deputies will be looking for a number of dangerous behaviors behind the wheel, including distracted driving, speeding and impaired driving, along with seat belt usage, Logan County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Jeff Anspach said Thursday.
“We’ll be working extra hours this weekend to help keep the roadways safe for prom-goers and the rest of the community. We want everybody to have a safe prom season,” he said.
Also along the roadways, motorists may have noticed two outdoor message boards near Benjamin Logan and Indian Lake high schools. Deputy Anspach said the Ohio Department of Transportation signs that read “Please buckle up; Have a safe prom,” were placed this week in the high traffic areas of State Route 47 at County Road 5 and the intersection of state routes 235 and 274.
“We’re hoping this will be a little extra reminder to our students and other drivers in these highly visible areas,” the deputy noted.
Concluding the night of dancing and excitement, many of the schools offer alcohol-free after-prom activities with games and prizes to provide a safe and fun atmosphere for students. Attending these events is strongly encouraged by local officers and deputies as well. They note that engaging in any risky behaviors simply is not worth the heavy price that often must be paid.
“Participating in these types of supervised events is a great way to end the night on a positive note,” Deputy Anspach said.
“During this weekend and any time of the year, we strongly discourage anyone who is impaired from getting behind the wheel. There are life-changing consequences for them and their schools. We don’t want them to look back at this time and see a decision that they deeply regret.”