Colonel Paul McClellan
Superintendent
Ohio State Highway Patrol

Planning a trip to the Ohio State Fair this summer? How about including the following activities during your day at the fair: attempt a field sobriety test while wearing Fatal Vision Goggles; get in the seat of a commercial truck and see how professional truck drivers view the road; or view the ins and outs of the Patrol’s new white cruiser.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol has long been a part of the Ohio State Fair. Troopers provide security, give directions to fairgoers, offer educational information, and provide nametags for children, to enable lost children to be reunited with their family as quickly as possible. In addition to seeing Troopers on the midway, you can visit them at the Marketplace Building, the Janis Center, and an outside "No Zone" Truck display.

In the Marketplace Building, the Patrol will have Fatal Vision Goggles to allow fairgoers to experience simulated visual impairment. Fatal Vision Goggles simulate impaired vision at 0.08 percent blood alcohol concentration (BAC) in the daytime and 0.14 BAC percent at night. The goggles are highly effective because they offer individuals a memorable lesson in the dangers of impaired driving.

This year, the Patrol’s new white car will be on display, with features including a new lightbar and mobile data terminals (MDT). This change continues to move the Patrol towards the goal of providing our troopers the safest, most reliable, and best equipment available.

The Patrol will offer give-away items at the Marketplace Building. Pens marked with the Patrol logo and the 1-877-7-PATROL number serve as a reminder to motorists to call when they need assistance on the highways or want to report suspicious activity or disabled vehicles. Junior trooper badges will be provided to children who promise to wear their safety belts.

Stop by the Patrol booth in the Janis Center to learn about mature driving skills. Several informational items will be available, which explain how mature drivers can be sure they are driving safely. A driver license provides a sense of independence and convenience for drivers of all ages. This freedom is particularly important to mature drivers. Help ensure this freedom by evaluating your driving skills to ensure your safety and the safety of others on our roads. Mature drivers can remain safe drivers by making a few simple adjustments to their driving behavior.

Learn how to share the road safely with commercial trucks at the "No Zone" Truck display. In a partnership with the Ohio Trucking Association and Roadway, this display demonstrates blind spots in commercial truck mirrors and areas to avoid while driving near commercial trucks. Fairgoers will also have the opportunity to get in the driver’s seat of a commercial truck. The display includes two commercial trucks with a Patrol message on the trailers. One is a "No Zone" trailer and the other displays the "Share the Road Safely" message. In addition to the commercial trucks, the display has a Patrol car, a motor carrier enforcement car, and a car parked in the "no zone."

A tent next to the "No Zone" display includes photos and information on commercial truck safety. Trucking company representatives will be available to discuss truck safety and demonstrate the No Zone Truck. In addition to spreading the No Zone message, volunteers will be available to answer questions about the trucking industry and encourage children to sign a "Seat Belt Promise" which states they will always buckle up when riding in a car.

Several give-away items will also be available at the "No Zone" display including: commercial truck driver guidebooks, safety belt promise certificates, Ohio State Highway Patrol car pins with flashing lights, No Zone Pamphlets, Patrol and "Share the Road Safely" glow-in-the-dark cups, and informational pamphlets. In addition, there will be a daily drawing at the "No Zone" display for a Roadway Truck model.

The Ohio State Fair runs from August 1 through August 17. If you visit the Ohio State Fair, I hope you will include these many Patrol displays as part of your day. It is a great opportunity to interact with troopers and other personnel of the Patrol and gain first hand knowledge of the Patrol’s safety programs.

It’s about safety!