Fatal crashes decrease for 4th consecutive year

For the fourth consecutive year, Ohio saw a decrease in fatal crashes across the state. There was a 3% decrease in traffic fatalities in 2025, resulting in 32 fewer lives lost than in 2024, according to a news release from Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine's office. The downward trend in fatal crashes began in 2022 and has continued each subsequent year, resulting in 231 lives saved over a four-year period. "The fact that more people have made it home to their families the past four years is certainly worth celebrating, "DeWine said. "But make no mistake: The number of people killed on Ohio's roads remains far too high," DeWine added. "Everyone has a role in making our roads safer, and we all have more work to do." By the numbers Here are the number of Ohio traffic fatalities in recent years: • 2021: 1,356 • 2022: 1,275 • 2023: 1,242 • 2024: 1,157 • 2025: 1,125 Patrol statistics for 2025 showed that 23% of fatal crashes were caused by driving off the roadway. Additionally, the next leading causes of fatal crashes across the state included failure to yield the right of way, unsafe speed, driving left of center, following too closely and running stop signs. Although distracted driving is frequently underreported, it remains a significant factor in overall crashes, the release states. Failure to wear a seat belt remains a major factor in traffic deaths. In crashes involving vehicles equipped with seatbelts, nearly 62% of individuals killed from 2021 to 2025 chose not to wear a safety belt, totaling nearly 2,500 people. Local look Here is the total number of crashes and fatalities in the area from 2025: Erie County • Total number of crashes: 2,200 • Total number of fatal crashes: 10 Huron County • Total number of crashes: 1,269 • Total number of fatal crashes: 6 Ottawa County • Total number of crashes: 824 • Total number of fatal crashes: 1 Sandusky County • Total number of crashes: 1,664 • Total number of fatal crashes: 8 Seneca County • Total number of crashes: 1,338 • Total number of fatal crashes: 6 Hancock County • Total number of crashes: 2,065 • Total number of fatal crashes: 6