Ohio crash data for 2003–2007 were used to investigate the odds of a motorcyclist being fatally injured in a crash and the risk factors involved. The results show that risk factors for fatality/severe injury significantly increase when the following circumstances apply: the motorcyclist is a female, being the motorcycle rider, use of excessive speeding, use of alcohol and/or drugs, riding without a helmet, being involved in a single-vehicle crash or at a nonintersection location, crashing on horizontal curves or on graded segments, and on major roadways. To reduce the number of fatal crashes, this study indicates that the dangers of excessive speed and operating a motorcycle while intoxicated must be fully stressed to the public and both require an elevated enforcement. The enactment of an Ohio universal helmet law is particularly recommended.

Improving transportation traffic safety and operations is a global priority, with efforts focusing on both technological advancements and strategic planning

Distracted driving remains a major concern on highways, with it contributing to severe and fatal crashes, particularly on high-speed routes, prompting numerous states to implement targeted initiatives aimed at combating traffic violations that significantly contribute to fatal and injury-inducing crashes. Among these initiatives is the highway safety corridor program, a collaborative endeavor between the state departments of transportation and law enforcement agencies. Highway safety corridors employ a combination of engineering interventions and heightened law enforcement presence to address risky driver behavior and mitigate the occurrence of crashes. Despite the longstanding existence of safety corridors, research on their effectiveness remains relatively limited, with existing studies indicating only moderate success rates. This study is dedicated to evaluating the effectiveness of ten highway safety corridors in Ohio, where the state recently launched its inaugural highway safety corridor program targeting distracted driving. Utilizing 2023 crash data, this Empirical Bayes’ before-and-after study seeks to gauge the impact of these safety corridors on enhancing roadway transportation safety. Upon assessing all crash types within Ohio’s distracted driving safety corridors that provided sufficient data for a before–after study, it was determined that the adoption of safety corridors generally led to a reduction in crashes ranging from 2% to 49%. The significance and magnitude of crash reduction may vary if specific crash types or severity levels are considered.

Improving the safety and efficiency of transportation systems remains a global priority—both from an engineering and health perspective