The number of people killed on Ohio roads fell locally but increased statewide in 2012 compared with the previous year’s record low.
The patrol reported at least 1,056 deaths in 962 fatal crashes during the past year, up from 1,015 deaths in 2011, which was the lowest total since record-keeping began in 1936.
Patrol spokeswoman Lt. Anne Ralston said it’s too soon to understand the reasons for the increase in deaths, though she noted that an increase during the first half of the year reflected a similar national trend.
Summit County saw seven fewer fatal crashes in 2012. Portage County saw four fewer and Medina County reported nine fewer.
Wayne and Stark counties saw no change.
“If one person is dying on our roadways, we still have work to do,” Ralston said.
