Latest news with #Governor'sHighwaySafetyProgram
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program reminds people to drive safe during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — The West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program encouraged motorcycle safety as May kicks off Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. According to a press release, the West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) partnered with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to encourage drivers that 'Motorcyclists' Safety Is Everyone's Safety.' REAL-ID will be required for West Virginia residents to board flights The press release from the West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program stated that safe driving and riding practices, as well as informing other drivers, can help decrease the amount of motorcyclist deaths on roads in the Mountain State. Motorcyclists should always be aware of their surroundings. It is imperative that you have the correct license to ride a motorcycle in West Virginia. Always wear your DOT-compliant helmet. Make sure you dress for the slide, not just for the ride. Motorists need to look out for motorcycles since they are small and harder to see. Since it is grass cutting season, please do not blow grass clippings onto the roads and streets because it is dangerous for motorcyclists. Driving on grass clippings is very slick, like driving on ice. Mary Jarrell | GHSP Motorcycle Safety Training Coordinator NHTSA data included in the press release stated that 15 percent of the total highway deaths in 2022 were 6,218 motorcyclists who died in traffic accidents. 33 percent of the total number of motorcyclist deaths in 2022 were related to speeding, and 51 percent of the deaths were from motorcyclists who were 21 to 24 years old. According to the data, drug/alcohol impairment was also a part of fatalities in motorcycle related accidents, and in 2022, 42 percent of motorcyclists who died in single-vehicle accidents were impaired by drugs or alcohol. Governor Morrisey signs bills banning cell phones in classrooms and requiring U.S. Motto displayed in schools The West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program advised that DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets can help lessen injuries and save lives. The press release stated that the use of motorcycle helmets went from 64.9 percent in 2021 to 66.5 percent in 2022, and that data from the NHTSA estimated that in 2017, helmets saved the lives of around 1,872 motorcyclists, and if all motorcyclists worn DOT-compliant helmets, an additional 749 lives could have been saved. According to the press release from the West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program, motorcyclists can finish rider education courses and keep a current motorcycle license, ride and drive defensively and not ride when distracted or impaired, and follow the speed limit and traffic laws and use personal protective gear and a DOT-compliant helmet with a 'FMVSS No. 218 Certified' label. Drivers are encouraged to use turn signals when merging or changing lanes, leave more following distance to move or stop in an emergency, do not drive while impaired by drugs or alcohol, follow the speed limit, check all mirrors and blind spots before merging or changing lanes, and drive defensively. The press release stated that despite motorcycles being small vehicles, motorcyclists have the same rights as any other driver when on the road and enough room should be left for them on a lane, and their smaller size can make them harder to see, which can make it possible to misjudge distance and speed. Drivers are also encouraged to avoid distractions that could place other people at risk, and to yield to motorcyclists, especially at intersections. Additional information about the West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program can be found on their website or by calling 304-926-2509, and motorcycle safety information can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Yahoo
Local law enforcement cracking down on distracted driving
PRINCETON, WV (WVNS) – Doing something as simple as checking your phone or taking your eyes off the road when driving could cause irreparable damages. Mercer County Sheriff's Department is part of the Governor's Highway Safety Program. Captain Adam Ballard told 59News they are cracking down on distracted driving. Beckley man identified as worker killed on I-77, one man arrested and charged He explained that the first conviction for distracted driving could amount to no more than $100, but by the third conviction in a 24-month period, it could cost you up to $350 – not to mention the bigger charges that could be applied if someone were to be injured or killed because of distracted driving. 'Nationally, we see over 3,000 people killed every year related to distracted driving, as well as over 350,000 people injured in those crashes. The people glance off the roadway, they look down no matter what they're doing, whether the checking the phone and they could travel the length of a football field. So, you think 300 feet in just a few seconds – 5 seconds or less is a good amount of distance to drive practically blindfolded,' said Captain Ballard. Captain Ballard said that it would not hurt anybody to simply pull over if you need to access your phone on the road. Hands free devices are highly recommended to help you focus on the road better. Ballard recommended keeping your eyes locked on the road, especially in work zones. If you would like to learn more about the law in West Virginia regarding distracted driving, visit this link. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Governor's Highway Safety Program encourages drivers to drive safely during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — The Governor's Highway Safety Program reminded the public to drive safely during National Distracted Driving Awareness Month. According to a press release, the Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) teamed up with the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reminded drivers to drive safely. Contour Airlines adds flight between Greenbrier Valley Airport and Chicago O'Hare International Airport The public was encouraged to follow the message 'Don't Drive Distracted. Eyes Forward' and avoid distractions when driving, which can include using cell phones or anything that pulls a person's attention away from driving, as well as focusing on safety while on the road. Distracted driving can pose a risk to everyone on the road, such as the driver and other drivers on the road, pedestrians, bicyclists, and passengers. The bottom line is distracted driving can be prevented. Drivers can prioritize safe driving by keeping their hands on the wheel, their eyes on the road, and their focus on driving. Jack McNeely | Director of the Governor's Highway Safety Program According to the press release, 1,860 distracted driving accidents were reported in West Virginia in 2022, which included 835 injuries and four deaths. The press release stated that according to the NHTSA, approximately 1.8 million people were injured and 15,960 fatalities occurred in distracted driving accidents from 2018 to 2022. 3,308 deaths occurred in 2022 due to accidents that involved at least one distracted driver, making up eight percent of the year's traffic fatalities. In 2022, approximately 289,310 people were injured in traffic accidents where distracted drivers were involved. WVDOT makes progress on road repairs, but financial challenges lie ahead The press release stated that tips people can use to drive safely include: If people are expecting a text message, or a text message needs to be sent immediately, drivers are advised to pull over and find a safe place to park before using their phone. Have a passenger be the 'designated texter,' and allow them to access your phone to respond to any calls or text messages. Do not look through social media or send messages while driving. Listen to your passengers if they ask the driver to put the phone down if they see it being used. People can also turn on their phone's 'Do Not Disturb' feature, silence notifications, or put their phone away until they arrive at their destination. Additional information can be found on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website, and information about the West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program can be found on their website or by calling 304-926-2509. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Click It or Ticket campaign will begin soon throughout West Virginia
CHARLESTON, WV (WVNS) — The West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program (GHSP) is planning a statewide Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement effort throughout the month of March. According to a press release, the campaign is one of the GHSP's year-long efforts to raise the usage of seat belts in the Mountain State, and serves as a prelude to the national campaign taking place in May. The statewide campaign will begin on March 7, 2025 and end on March 25, 2025. In 2022, an estimated 49 percent of all passenger vehicle occupants that were killed in crashes in the state were not wearing a seat belt. To lower the risk, enforcing seat belt laws must happen day and night. Carnegie Hall preparing for St. Patrick's Day with high-energy Tartan Terrors Our seat belt usage decreased to 91.9 percent in 2024 from 93 percent in 2023. While we are displeased with this decrease, we will keep working until every person in every vehicle is correctly buckled up. A seat belt is your best protection against death or injury should you be in a vehicle crash. Jack McNeely | Director, Governor's Highway Safety Program Residents in rural areas may think their crash risk is lower, but in 2022, 66 percent of total vehicle deaths in West Virginia occurred in rural areas, compared to 34 percent in urban areas, the release noted. Officers across West Virginia will be on patrol, writing tickets to violators caught without using a seat belt or transporting children that are not restrained properly. The statewide effort is aimed at implementing seat belt use to keep all travelers safe. The reality is: seat belts save lives. Click It or Ticket isn't about citations; it's about saving lives. Not buckling up is not worth the risk. Jack McNeely | Director, Governor's Highway Safety Program 'Life in America: Through the Decades' pop art shows opens March 7 in Beckley Using your seat belt is required by law. Do not buckle up simply to avoid a ticket. The lives of our friends and families are priceless, infinitely greater than the $25 that violators will pay. If caught driving while unbuckled and you get a ticket, view it as a wakeup call, the release stated. For more information regarding the West Virginia Governor's Highway Safety Program, call 304-926-2509, or visit their website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
25-02-2025
- Yahoo
$147,000 grant to help speed up DWI cases in Mecklenburg County
MECKLENBURG COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) – Processing DWI cases in Mecklenburg County and beyond is about to get a little easier thanks to a $147,000 grant. The NC Administrative Office of the Courts has been awarded a grant from the Governor's Highway Safety Program to accelerate the processing of DWI cases in Mecklenburg, Johnston, and Wake counties. This funding will support an additional 400 DWI court sessions through the end of the federal fiscal year, which concludes on September 30, 2025. NCAOC Director Ryan Boyce expressed gratitude for the funding and highlighted the collaborative effort needed to improve public safety. 'We're grateful to the GHSP for this funding and partnership,' said Boyce. 'Thank you to the district attorneys, judges, clerks, law enforcement agencies, and other court staff who enhance public safety by working hard to quickly adjudicate these cases.' The grant aims to help reduce the backlog of pending DWI cases in the targeted counties, which have seen a steady decline in DWI case volume over the past few years. Statewide DWI cases have decreased by 10 percent since early 2020 and are down nearly 30 percent from the peak levels seen during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
