Voter Registration, Living Will Organ Donation, Second Chance Trust Fund & Driver's Privacy Protection Act

Most of us learned how to drive during our teen-age years, and have been driving ever since. Even after years behind the wheel, how many of us know everything there is to know about being an expert driver?

This guidebook will help refresh your driving knowledge. Keep it in your glove box and refer to it whenever you have a question about driving techniques. To be a responsible driver, one must keep one's driving skills at their very best.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING

Driving to prevent motor vehicle crashes despite the actions of others or the presence of adverse driving conditions, that's defensive driving. Defensive driving demands one to commit to a skilled level of driving.

There's more than just knowing the rules. The defensive driver makes a conscious decision to drive safely. The defensive driver tries to get there safely, not faster than anyone else and not at the expense of others' safety.

Driving is not a contest. Other motorists may cut you off, pass you, turn in front of you or gesture insultingly. Keep your cool, this is not the time to vent your anger or frustration. The roadway is no place to get even.

MASTERING THE BASICS

Avoid driver error: Prevention is the key.

Recognize a hazard: Scan the road ahead, behind and around your vehicle for any road obstacles.

Stay alert: Driving conditions may change.

Understand the action to be taken: If a collision seems likely, anticipate what will happen and decide how to avoid or lessen the crash.

SPEEDING

Increased speed means an increased chance of losing control and crashing. The force of impact is much greater at a higher speed.

•	At 40 MPH, the impact is like driving off a four-story building
•	At 60 MPH, it is like driving off a nine-story building. Few people will survive a crash of that magnitude

Speeding versus stopping distances (dependent on road conditions, driver, vehicle and weather):

•	At 20 MPH, it takes 20 feet to stop - the same as your speed
•	At 40 MPH, it takes 80 feet to stop - twice your speed
•	At 60 MPH, it takes 180 feet to stop - three times your speed

Drag racing on public roads is PROHIBITED.

PASSING

It is illegal to pass:

•	On a hill
•	On a curve
•	At a railroad crossing
•	When approaching a bridge, viaduct or tunnel
•	Inside a tunnel
•	When school bus or emergency vehicle lights are flashing
•	Within 50 feet of an intersection
•	In a no passing zone

Improper passing can result in a head-on collision, a sideswipe or other types of crashes. Passing puts additional wear and tear on your vehicle and consumes more fuel, so be sure passing is necessary and appropriate. Match your driving and your passing speed, to the tempo of the traffic around you. If you must pass, follow these instructions:

•	Use turn signals every time you pass to alert other drivers
•	Know the speed and acceleration ability of your car. It takes about ten seconds to pass, be sure you have adequate time and space to do so
•	Maintain the proper three-second following distance, look ahead and behind before passing
•	Double-check for other traffic approaching, look over both shoulders and in your rearview and side view mirrors
•	Change lanes without disrupting the flow of traffic
•	After passing is completed, return to the proper lane, turn off your signal and maintain normal speed

STOPPING

•	Make sure your brake lights work to warn the motorist behind you that you are slowing down and stopping
•	Don't impede the flow of traffic. Always pull off the road if you need to stop
•	If your vehicle is not equipped with Antilock Brake Systems (ABS), you have to manually pump the brakes to prevent wheel lockup
•	In vehicles equipped with ABS, your foot should remain firmly planted on the brake pedal, while ABS pumps the brakes for you so you can concentrate on steering to safety

FOLLOWING

Always maintain a three-second following distance. For example;

three full seconds (count 1001, 1002, 1003) should elapse from the time the vehicle ahead of you passes a fixed object until you pass it.

Leave even more distance between your vehicle and others in adverse driving conditions (such as wet roads, dark skies, foggy conditions, etc.)

YIELDING THE RIGHT OF WAY

Always yield to:

•	Pedestrians
•	Any vehicle in an intersection
•	Oncoming traffic when turning left
•	The vehicle on your right if you both arrive at an intersection at the same time
•	Vehicles that arrive before you at a four-way stop
•	All moving public safety vehicles with sounding sirens or flashing lights. Pull over to the right side of the road, stop, and wait until all emergency vehicles have passed before you resume driving
•	All stationary public safety vehicles with sounding sirens or flashing lights. When traveling on a roadway with two or more lanes traveling in the same direction as that of the public safety vehicle, you shall change to a lane not adjacent to the public safety vehicle if possible. If it is not possible to change lanes due to the roadway, weather or traffic conditions, you need to proceed with caution and reduce speed to pass the vehicle
•	Vehicles already on a freeway when you are trying to enter
•	School buses flashing red lights
•	Traffic at "merging traffic" signs
•	All traffic as you are leaving a parking space
•	Funeral processions

TURNING

To make a proper RIGHT turn, follow these instructions:

•	Check traffic ahead, behind and on both sides
•	Get in the curb lane well in advance
•	Signal 100 feet ahead of turn
•	Begin accelerating smoothly when halfway around corner
•	Make a full turn, don't cut it short
•	Turn into the lane nearest the curb, then change lanes if needed

To make a proper LEFT turn, same as above, except:

•	Get in the lane nearest the center lane and let oncoming traffic clear, keep front wheels pointed straight ahead until moving into the turn. (If another vehicle crashes into yours from behind, you won't be pushed into oncoming traffic.)
•	Make a full turn into the lane nearest the centerline
•	When approaching a corner where a left turn might be dangerous, if possible, execute a series of right turns, instead of the left to get to your desired destination

To make a proper U-turn, follow these instructions:

•	Use your turn signal at least 100 feet prior to turning
•	Check traffic ahead, behind and beside you before turning
•	If there's traffic in the area, don't make the U-turn; instead make other turns to reverse your direction
•	Check traffic again before completing final half of turn
•	Turn into the lane closest to the center line or median

Note:

It is illegal to make a U-turn on a curve, near the top of a hill, if your vehicle cannot be seen within five hundred feet by the driver of another vehicle approaching from either direction or when a sign prohibiting U-turns is posted.

TAKING CURVES AND CORNERS

Keep to the middle of the lane for both kinds of curves. Maintain control by slowing down before entering a curve and accelerating halfway through the curve.

TAKING YOUR VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD TO AVOID A COLLISION

If a crash seems unavoidable and your only "out" is to get off the road, you may be able to control how you crash to avoid serious injury. Remember these tips:

•	Move to the right to dodge the oncoming vehicle and ease off the accelerator
•	Once off the road, break gently if time and space permit
•	Drive off the road, try not to skid or roll the vehicle by sudden and severe motion of the steering wheel
•	If necessary, aim to hit something "soft" to cushion the impending collision, such as bushes, young tree, or shrubs, rather than a telephone pole, building or a parked car
•	If necessary, aim to hit something moving in the same direction that you are moving, instead of a hard, fixed object such as a parked car
•	Aim to hit something fixed such as a breakaway pole or fence rather than a vehicle heading toward you
•	If all other options have failed and a crash with another vehicle is imminent, try to strike the other vehicle with a glancing or side-swiping blow rather than a direct, head-on impact

SKIDDING

Test road traction by lightly applying brakes to get the "feel" of the road. Wet leaves, ice, sand, gravel, mud or water can cause skid-ding. If your vehicle starts to skid, remember:

•	If rear slides LEFT, turn front wheels LEFT to straighten vehicle
•	If rear slides RIGHT, turn front wheels RIGHT to correct skid
•	REAR WHEEL DRIVE, Take foot off accelerator and apply slight repeated pressure to the brakes. Never slam on the brake pedal on slick pavement
•	FRONT WHEEL DRIVE, It may be possible to maintain your speed to allow your drive wheels to pull away from the sliding rear end. Do not slam on the brakes

HYDROPLANING

Hydroplaning occurs when your tires begin riding on a layer of moisture (rain, snow or ice) instead of the road surface. Regain control by:

•	Easing off the accelerator to reduce speed
•	Not braking, this will cause your vehicle to skid
•	Increasing your following distance as long as adverse conditions exist

PARKING

•	Whether you have an automatic or manual transmission, always engage your parking brake
•	When parked pointing downhill, turn wheels toward the curb
•	When parked pointing uphill, turn your front wheels away from the curb
•	When parked on a hill with no curb, turn your steering wheel to the right
•	Park in well-lit, busy areas to reduce chance of theft and vandalism
•	Always lock your vehicle
•	Observe all surface markings in a parking lot. DO NOT cut through a parking lot ignoring marked lanes

FREEWAY DRIVING

Use these special defensive driving techniques whenever you drive on the freeway:

•	When entering the freeway, travel at posted ramp speed and increase speed so that you can merge smoothly into the flow of traffic
•	Continuously check traffic for a large enough gap to allow you to safely enter the flow of the faster- moving freeway traffic
•	Be sure to signal your desire to move into freeway traffic and always yield the right of way to traffic already on the freeway
•	If you must slow down on the entry ramp, do so about halfway down the ramp, not at the end. In this position, you'll still have space ahead to accelerate before entering the freeway traffic
•	When you are exiting at the same time another vehicle is entering at a "dual use interchange" (a combined entry and exit ramp), be courteous and safe: slow down to allow the other vehicle to enter ahead of you. This gives the entering car a path of safety to merge into the higher speed lane, and allows you to slow down to the ramp speed
•	When exiting the freeway, signal intention to exit, move into proper lane, then start to slow down. Decelerate to posted ramp speed

USE OF HEADLIGHTS

•	Headlights should be turned on one half hour before sunset until one half hour after sunrise. If in doubt, turn them on whenever you have difficulty seeing
•	Use your lights when it is raining. They help you see and help other motorists see you
•	Don't use your high beams in fog or when it's snowing because the beams reflect off the fog particles or snowflakes back into your eyes
•	Ohio law prohibits driving with only your parking lights on

ROAD CONDITIONS AND HAZARDS

Light

Changing light conditions can greatly affect driving. Slow down for:

•	Overcast skies, fog, smog, smoke and glare (especially at sunrise and sunset)
•	When the vehicle behind you has high beams on, adjust your rearview mirror to night setting and slow down if you want the vehicle to pass you
•	Use your sun visor and/or wear sunglasses for extreme sunshine or snow glare. Don't wear sunglasses at night

Weather

•	Rain, snow, sleet and ice make road surfaces slippery, and can obscure lane markings, traffic signage and road markings
•	Slow down and use low beams in wet weather. Rule of thumb: when your turn your wipers on, turn your lights on
•	If driving visibility is poor, pull off the road and wait for conditions to improve. Traveling at 5 or 10 mph risks a chain-reaction collision
•	Switch to snow tires or all weather tires in the winter
•	If you are caught in a snow storm be aware of overexposure and overexertion when trying to free your stuck vehicle. Stay inside until help arrives
•	Be sure your windshield and windows are thoroughly clear of view-obstructing snow and ice. Use your defogger to increase visibility as you drive
•	Clean snow, slush and dirt off your headlights and taillights for maximum visibility

Traffic

•	Watch for heavy and unpredictable traffic around sporting events, shopping centers, churches and schools. Also be aware of pedestrian traffic at these sites
•	In addition to heavy traffic during peak commuting times, there may also be more traffic, vehicular and pedestrian, at lunch times
•	Avoid congested areas whenever possible by planning alternate routes. Watch for children and bicycles in school areas

Time of Day

•	Sunday morning, 12 midnight to 2 a.m., is the most dangerous time to drive because there are more drug and alcohol-impaired drivers sharing the road with you. The fatal collision rate is several times higher at night than during the day
•	Don't drive when you are extremely tired, and don't rely on coffee or caffeine pills to keep you awake

Railroad Crossings

•	Always slow down to go over the uneven pavement surrounding railroad crossings so you have firm control of the vehicle
•	Check in both directions TWICE even if you don't see a train the first time
•	Make sure conditions for hearing are optimal, turn down your radio, and lower your window prior to crossing so you can hear a train

Construction

Be especially cautious of:

•	Work crews, law enforcement personnel and other pedestrians at construction sites
•	Heavy equipment which may block visibility. The heavy equipment operator may not see or hear your vehicle approaching
•	Rough pavement, potholes, building materials or barriers that could cause a collision if in the path of your vehicle
•	Speed limits in construction zones. Fines are doubled in ALL construction zones

School Bus Zones

•	The speed limit in a school bus zone is 20 MPH
•	When a bus stops to pick up or drop off children, you must stop at least ten feet from the front or rear of the bus
•	If a bus is stopped on a street or road, which has fewer than four lanes, all traffic in both directions MUST STOP
•	If a bus is stopped on a street or road, which has four or more lanes, ONLY the traffic proceeding in the same direction as the bus MUST STOP
•	The fine for passing a bus can be up to $500 and a maximum of one-year license suspension

AGGRESSIVE DRIVING

Road rage is described as any display of aggression by an operator or a motor vehicle.

In four years, the number of Ohio drivers and vehicle registrations increased by more than one million. With more drivers and vehicles sharing the roadways, the problem of aggressive driving continues to rise.

Here are tips to consider if you encounter an aggressive driver:

•	Do not react to his/her provoking behavior
•	Stay away from erratic drivers
•	Use your horn sparingly
•	Do not make obscene gestures
•	Do not switch lanes without signaling
•	Do not tailgate
•	Do not block the passing lane
•	Avoid eye contact with the other driver
•	Do not take more than one parking space
•	Call 1-877-7-PATROL for help

SHARING THE ROAD

•	Pedestrians — Always yield to persons on foot
•	Bicycles — Bicycles are subject to the same laws as motorized vehicles and should be treated the same, but be aware of the unexpected
•	Motorcycles — Respect the rights of motorcyclists and treat them as equal partners on the road

—	Give motorcyclist plenty of time and space to maneuver; they will usually go around hazards like potholes or deep standing water rather than through them.
—	Give motorcyclists the full lane when they're passing, and don't speed up as you are passed.

•	Trucks — Be aware of a truck's blind spots: behind (especially if you drive a very small car), below both side doors and directly in front below the windshield

—	It takes a large truck or bus much longer to stop than it takes you.
—	Be prepared for water or slush spray from a passing truck in wet conditions.
—	When passing a truck, never stay alongside for more than a few seconds.

•	Mopeds — Even smaller than motorcycles. Watch for them especially in residential areas

•	Recreational Vehicles — RV drivers may have the same blind spots as truck drivers. Extra time and distance are required for stopping, passing and pulling into traffic

•	Animals — Be especially cautious in residential areas; be prepared to reduce speed in posted animal crossings

•	Amish/Slow-Moving Vehicles — Here are a few important driving tips that can help motorists safely enjoy Amish country:
	Expect to see slow-moving vehicles.

—	Often, buggies are not equipped with lighting, reflective materials or the orange triangular "slow-moving vehicle" sign, which makes them difficult to see.
—	Amish country's winding roads can often create blind curves, where tall crops or wooded areas obscure a driver's view; and a buggy can suddenly emerge from around a bend or behind a hill.
—	A quick tap on the horn 75 to 100 feet before passing an Amish buggy is welcome.
—	Travel at the posted speed limit so that it's easy to respond to surprises in your path.
—	Only pass when legal and safe. Be sure to give the horse and driver as much room as possible on a reasonably open stretch of road.

HAZARDS INSIDE YOUR VEHICLE

•	Eating, drinking, talking on a mobile telephone or applying makeup in your vehicle can be deadly hazards because they distract you from the primary task of driving
•	Cargo — By law, cargo in your vehicle may not obstruct your view. Keep books, cameras, boxes and other heavy items in your trunk so they don't become lethal flying weapons in a crash
•	Passengers — Keep talk to a minimum. Don't argue, get boisterous or emotional while driving. The best passengers are those who fasten their safety belts
•	Don't endanger yourself and your pet by letting your pet roam freely about your vehicle. Restrain the animal in the back seat so your visibility and your driving are not impaired

USE OF SAFETY BELTS (a State Law)

•	Adjust your belt two to four inches below the waist, low on the lap and against the thighs
•	Wear your shoulder belt over the shoulder and across the chest, not under the arm
•	Safety belts should be worn snugly, not loosely
•	If a safety belt does not fit due to seat position or body size, an auto dealer can adjust it. An extension is available for all American-made autos free-of-charge at auto dealerships
•	A pregnant woman should wear both the lap and shoulder belts. The lap belt should be positioned under the abdomen, as low as possible on the hips and across the upper thighs. Wearing a safety belt can save the life of the mother and the unborn child

USE OF CHILD SAFETY SEATS (a State Law)

•	Infant safety seats must be in a rear-facing position until the child can sit up unsupported. Replace an infant-only seat with a toddler seat as the child grows. A convertible seat may be changed to fit a toddler by following the manufacturer's instructions
•	The vehicle's safety belt must be correctly threaded through the child safety seat or wrapped around the front of the safety seat depending on the seat model and style
•	The safety seat's harness and/or shield must be firmly fastened around the child. Most safety seats have a five-point harness which secures the child. The straps are arranged so that two go over the hips, two over the shoulders and one between the legs. Some seats have shoulder and crotch straps attached to a small padded shield, which takes the place of the hip straps
•	The crotch strap must be short to keep the hip straps below the child's abdomen. The harness must be snug enough that only a two-finger width can be placed between the child's body and the straps. Any more slack could result in a serious injury to the child in a crash
•	A child no longer has to be restrained in a safety seat when he or she reaches the age of four and the weight of 40 pounds. However, we strongly recommend the child be restrained with a safety belt even when traveling in the back seat

CONDITION OF THE DRIVER AS A POTENTIAL HAZARD

•	Age — Especially if your are a senior driver, be aware of changes in reaction time, hearing, vision and motor skills. The ability to see well at night begins to decrease after age 40. If you are concerned that you are not adept in any of these areas, have yourself tested

•	Attitude — Truly concentrate on driving and take it seriously

•	Fatigue — If you are too tired, don't drive. Either get another driver or postpone your trip until you are rested

•	Alcohol or Drug Impairment — This is discussed in depth on pages 16 through 18 of this handbook. Just remember: If you drink, don't drive
•	Emotions — Don't get behind the wheel if you are extremely angry, tense or depressed. You may just take it out on another driver
•	Level of Skill — Every driver, no matter how good a driving record or years behind the wheel, needs to refresh his or her driving skills and knowledge

COMMON EMERGENCIES THAT CAN OCCUR WHILE DRIVING

Things can and do go wrong even with the most experienced driver.

Here's how to cope:

•	Out of gas — Pull off to the side of the road. If there are not gas stations within a safe walking distance, or if it is after dark, tie a red cloth to your antenna. Wait inside your vehicle until help arrives

•	Brake failure — Pump brakes rapidly to restore pressure. If still not working, shift to lower gear and slowly apply the parking brake, but continue to hold onto it so you can release it if rear wheels lock and you begin to skid

•	Hood latch failure — Reduce speed and use center line as visual steering guide. Either look through windshield under the hood or stick your head out of the window so you can pull off the road safely

•	Steering failure — Turn on emergency flashers and sound your horn to warn others. Brake and stop as soon as it is safe. Try to guide your vehicle off the road if possible
•	Jammed accelerator — Tap pedal to "un-jam" accelerator or pull it up with the toe of your shoe. Don't bend down to do it. If still stuck, shift to neutral and apply brakes. Pull to the side of the road and turn off the ignition
•	Engine fire — Pull off the road. Turn off ignition. Get everyone out of the vehicle. If safe, open hood with a cloth and use sand, blanket, dirt or a fire extinguisher to put out the fire
•	Tire failure — Pull off the road to repair. Never stop in a lane of traffic
•	Overheated engine — Pull off the road and let engine cool for at least 15 minutes. Slowly remove the radiator cap with a cloth being careful of very hot escaping steam. Add coolant if necessary. Add water while the engine is running. Never add cold water to an overheated engine that is turned off. Check for a leak
•	Stalling engine — Don't turn off the vehicle, you may lock the steering column. Instead, shift to neutral and pull off the road
•	Low oil pressure — Stop your car as soon as it is safe and let the engine cool. Once cooled, check the oil level and add oil if necessary. Don't keep driving if your oil is dangerously low or you will risk permanent and major damage to the engine block

VEHICLE MAINTENANCE

You are required by law to maintain your vehicle in proper operating condition at all times. Either you or a professional should check the following items on your vehicle on a regular basis:

•	Tires — Proper tire tread, wear patterns and inflation. Be sure you have a fully inflated spare tire in your vehicle
•	Exterior lights — Should be clean, working and headlights should be aimed properly
•	Wipers — Replace worn or bent blades
•	Exhaust pipe — Supported off the ground with no leakage of deadly carbon monoxide into your vehicle
•	Horn — Proper working order
•	Windows — Clean and free of cracks
•	Fluids under the hood such as: Oil, power steering and power brakes, battery (also check the secure attachment of battery cables), transmission, radiator, coolant and/or anti-freeze, air conditioning Freon and windshield cleaner
•	Hoses — Firm but pliable, no leaks
•	Filters — Oil and air
•	Belts, fan and power steering — Not loose, cracked or frayed
•	Door locks — Close and lock completely
•	Seats — Adjusted properly and locked on their tracks
•	Gear shifts and signals — Working properly
•	Safety belts — In working condition so they adjust freely, fit snugly and lock firmly
•	Suspension — If your car bounces more than twice when you push down hard on the front and rear of the vehicle, you need new shocks. Always replace shocks in pairs
•	Steering wheel — Should be able to turn it no more than two inches before your wheels begin to turn
•	Engine tune-up — Points, plugs, condenser, wiring, timing and fuel system
•	Emergency kit — Depending on the nature of your trip, emergency items may include: a first aid kit, fire extinguisher, distress flag, compass, drinking water, towing chains, safety matches and candles, flashlight, flares, blankets, jack, basic mechanic's tools and coins for tolls and telephone calls

FIRST AID KIT FOR YOUR VEHICLE

Items to include:

•	First aid manual
•	Sterile gauze pads
•	Three triangular 40-inch bandages
•	Adhesive bandage strips
•	Scissors
•	Cotton swabs
•	Distilled water to cool burns
•	Ammonia inhalants to revive the unconscious
•	Sterile compresses to stop bleeding (heavy duty sanitary napkins will work)

IMPAIRED DRIVING

Effects of Drugs & Alcohol

— Reactions:

• Emotions — highs or lows become exaggerated

• Behavior can change dramatically, alcohol and drugs affect areas of the brain responsible for reasoning and judgment. Your ability to make decisions, especially quick ones, is impaired. Your reaction time slows down

— Effects on Driving Ability:

• Takes longer to decide to act, to stop, slow down and turn

• Motor skills are impaired, the ability to shift gears, use signals, apply the brakes and secure safety belts

• Affects your vision and sensory perception

Prescriptions are Drugs Too

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Be sure to specifically inquire if your driving could be impaired as a result of taking the prescribed medicine. Even the lightest dose of a seemingly harmless over-the-counter cold or allergy medication could affect your ability to drive.

MEDICATION CHART
Physiological Condition	Type of Medication	Potential Side Effects
Arthritis	Analgesics	Drowsiness, inability to concentrate, ringing in ears
Allergies	Antihistamine	Drowsiness, confusion, increased reaction time
Common cold	Antihistamine	Drowsiness, blurred vision, dizziness
Diabetes	Anti-diabetics	Drowsiness, inability to concentrate
Hypertension	Anti-hypertensive	Drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision
Weight control	Stimulants	False feeling of alertness, over-excitability

EMOTIONAL STATES
Physiological Condition	Type of Medication	Potential Side Effects
Anxiety	Sedatives	Drowsiness, staggering, blurred vision
Depression	Stimulants	Over-excitability, false sense of alertness, dizziness
Fatigue	Stimulants	Over-excitability, false sense of alertness

Degree of Impairment

How impaired a driver is after drinking depends on a variety of factors such as:

•	Number of alcoholic drinks the driver has consumed
•	Amount of time allowed for elimination of alcohol
•	Amount of alcohol in each drink
•	Length of time over which alcohol is consumed
•	Length of time between drinks
•	Amount and type of food in the stomach when drinking began
•	Weight of the drinking person
•	The drinker's physical and emotional condition

An Older Driver is at Special Risk

•	A senior driver is affected three times faster by alcohol and medicine than a young driver
•	As the body ages, its ability to break down alcohol slows
•	Alcohol stays in the body of an older person longer
•	Older people tend to lose weight and retain less water. Both factors make alcohol even more potent

The Designated Driver

•	Plan ahead to have a sober, non-drinking person drive you home. Call a cab, stay until you are sober or use public transportation

SMOKING IN YOUR VEHICLE

•	Smoke fogs the windshield and reduces visibility inside your vehicle
•	Lighting up, tapping ashes and stubbing out the cigarette butt becomes yet another distraction from your main task of driving
•	Build-up of carbon monoxide in car as a result of smoking is not healthy for driver or passenger
•	Risk of fire is greater
•	Smoke interferes with the eye's ability to adapt to the dark

WHAT TO DO AT THE SCENE OF A COLLISION

Emergency Procedures

If you are involved in a collision, witness a crash, or are the first person on the scene, follow these procedures:

•	Pull over and put on emergency flashers, lift hood, and/or place emergency flares outside of the vehicle to warn oncoming traffic and prevent additional collisions
•	Send for help, call for police, ambulance or highway patrol. If in doubt about the need for an ambulance, call for one (NOTE: Ohio Highway Patrol Post telephone numbers are listed on the inside back cover of this handbook)
•	Obtain vehicle, driver and injured person(s) information. Give the same information to the other person(s) involved
•	If the vehicle is unoccupied, you need to contact the local law enforcement and report it or leave the necessary information for the owner to contact you
•	To reduce the risk of fire, turn off the ignitions of any vehicles still running that were involved in the collision
•	Check the condition of the victims:

1. Keep them warm and as comfortable as possible

2. Apply first aid

3. Stop any external bleeding that is visible

4. Apply CPR if necessary and continue until paramedics arrive

DO NOT MOVE THE INJURED unless there is further risk of injury from fire, water or other unsafe traffic conditions and do so only by lifting or pulling them from their shoulders or arms. Place them on a coat or blanket.

FILING A CRASH REPORT

If you are involved in the collision and are physically able, provide the following information:

•	Your name, address, driver license and vehicle registration NOTE: This is the only information required by law;
•	Additional information that would be important to collect is:

—	Facts about the other driver and vehicle such as recommended on the collision report form on the following page. This includes driver and/or owner name, address, phone number, license number, make, model, year and license plate of the other vehicle(s) involved, and the other driver's insurance company
—	You may also wish to secure the names, addresses and phone numbers of passengers as well as any witnesses to the crash

•	While it is still very fresh in your mind try to write down a detailed description of the collision including

1.	Date, time and location
2.	Road and weather conditions
3.	Your speed and other vehicle's speed
4.	Description of what happened
5.	Diagram of what happened
6.	Extent of damage done to other vehicle and yours

•	If you are involved in a crash with an unattended vehicle, you must report the crash to the police or leave necessary information at the scene
•	The driver of a vehicle, which is involved in a motor vehicle crash, may file this report with the BMV within six months after the crash. The crash can be filed if both of the following apply: (1) there was damage in excess of $400, and (2) the driver or owner of the other vehicle did not have insurance or other financial responsibility coverage at the time of the crash
•	Notify your insurance company as soon as possible

WHAT TO DO IN CASE YOU HIT A DEER

•

If you hit a deer and cause its death, you may take possession of the deer, by law, as long as you report the collision to a game protector or other law enforcement officer within 24 hours. The game protector or officer will then investigate and issue a certificate entitling you to the carcass. It is illegal to take a deer carcass without reporting it.

COLLISION REPORT FORM - Available in Adobe® Portable Document Format (PDF)

Download Adobe® Acrobat Reader

OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL POST - Telephone Numbers
CB Call Letters KNN 3083

Listed by City
Akron	(330) 928-1185	Lima	(419) 228-2421
Ashland	(419) 289-0911	Lisbon	(330) 424-7783
Ashtabula	(440) 969-1155	Mansfield	(419) 756-2222
Athens	(740) 593-6611	Marietta	(740) 374-6616
Batavia	(513) 732-1510	Marion	(740) 383-2181
Berea	(440) 234-2096	Marysville	(937) 644-8811
Bucyrus	(419) 562-8040	Massillon	(330) 833-1055
Cambridge	(740) 439-1388	Medina	(330) 725-4921
Canfield	(330) 533-6866	Milan	(419) 499-4808
Chardon	(440) 286-6612	Mt. Gilead	(419) 768-3955
Chillicothe	(740) 775-7770	New Philadelphia	(330) 339-1103
Cincinnati	(513) 489-6741	Norwalk	(419) 668-3711
Circleville	(740) 983-2538	Piqua	(937) 773-1131
Cleveland	(216) 587-4305	Portsmouth	(740) 354-2888
Columbus	(614) 466-2660	Ravenna	(330) 297-1441
Dayton	(937) 890-1111	St. Clairsville	(740) 695-0915
Defiance	(419) 784-1025	Sandusky	(419) 625-6565
Delaware	(740) 548-6011	Springfield	(937) 323-9781
Eaton	(937) 456-5533	Steubenville	(740) 264-1641
Elyria	(440) 365-5045	Swanton	(419) 826-5871
Findlay	(419) 423-1414	Toledo	(419) 865-5544
Fremont	(419) 332-8246	Van Wert	(419) 238-3055
Gallipolis	(740) 446-2433	Walbridge	(419) 666-1323
Georgetown	(937) 378-6191	Wapakoneta	(419) 738-8010
Granville	(740) 927-0065	Warren	(330) 898-2311
Hamilton	(513) 863-4606	West Jefferson	(614) 879-7626
Hiram	(330) 527-2168	Wilmington	(937) 382-2551
Ironton	(740) 377-4311	Wooster	(330) 264-0575
Jackson	(740) 286-4141	Xenia	(937) 372-7671
Lancaster	(740) 654-1523	Zanesville	(740) 453-0541
Lebanon	(513) 932-4444

The above locations serve all of rural Ohio 24 hours a day. For emergency service, contact your nearest patrol post.

FOR HIGHWAY EMERGENCIES, CONTACT THE OHIO STATE HIGHWAY PATROL AT 1-877-7PATROL