As part of the kick-off for the summer travel season, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, in conjunction with the Ohio Trucking Association, rolled out a new program today dubbed Truck Shield. This program is designed for truck drivers and aims to train these drivers to assist law as extra sets of eyes and ears on the road.
Truck Shield training, which debuted today at the Wal-Mart Distribution Center in Grove City, will be conducted by Patrol officers statewide and consists of instruction on impaired driver detection, criminal patrol, homeland security and human trafficking.
“Once trained, these drivers have the ability to help law enforcement keep Ohio roadways safe, whether from impaired drivers or terrorist activity,” explained Colonel John Born, Patrol superintendent. “We are very excited to have the help of these drivers – not only Memorial Day weekend – but for years to come.”
Memorial Day weekend is traditionally a dangerous period on Ohio roads, particularly for impaired driving crashes. Last Memorial Day holiday, five of the 14 people killed on Ohio roadways were involved in alcohol-related crashes.
Motorists should be reminded that wearing a safety belt is the single most effective tool in reducing injuries and deaths in crashes. This message is part of the national Click It or Ticket safety belt mobilization coordinated by the Department of Public Safety’s Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
Trucking companies interested in receiving Truck Shield training should contact their local Patrol Post.
All drivers are encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers or drug activity.
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