The Office of Highway Safety Planning is dedicated to saving lives and reducing injuries on Michigan roadways through leadership, innovation, facilitation, and program support in partnership with other traffic safety professionals. OHSP works with community groups to promote traffic safety through enforcement of the state’s safety belt law, zeroing in on drunk drivers, and supporting traffic safety education programs for Michigan residents, including the elderly and youth.

To fulfill its mission, OHSP supports a number of traffic safety programs:

Working with Michigan Law Enforcement Agencies

Michigan counties with high traffic crash rates participate in projects aimed specifically at enforcing safety belt laws, getting drunk drivers off the road, and other dangerous driving behavior.

Alcohol Impaired Driving Prevention

This program seeks to increase the perceived threat of arrest for drunk driving through year-round enforcement and a strong public information and education campaign. Training for law enforcement officers and the criminal justice community and working with the state’s judiciary are also important parts of this program area. 

Occupant Protection and Child Passenger Safety

Utilizing education, motivation, and enforcement of the state’s safety belt law, this program focuses on convincing motorists and youngsters to buckle up.

Safe Communities

Safe Communities is a nationwide program that encourages local groups to assess their community’s traffic safety issues and establish programs to address these problems. OHSP provides assessment tools and expertise to local communities.

Youth Alcohol Programs

Local coalitions use grant funds for programs aimed at reducing underage drinking.  Grants are also provided to law enforcement agencies for training in the best  methods to address minors who attempt to purchase or consume alcohol and adults attempting to furnish alcohol to minors.

Governor’s Highway Traffic Safety Advisory Commission                    

The Governor’s Highway Traffic Safety Advisory Commission (GTSAC) provides leadership in the identification of state and local traffic safety issues and promotes recommended strategies to address them.

Michigan Traffic Safety Summit

Working through a network of advisory groups, traffic safety partners focus on problem identification, information sharing, and networking. OHSP hosts an annual Traffic Safety Summit where traffic safety advocates from around the state come together to discuss current issues, emerging trends, and technology.

Secondary Road Patrol

The Secondary Road Patrol and Traffic Accident Prevention program was created by Public Act 416 of 1978.  This state-funded grant program provides county sheriff offices with funding for patrol of secondary roads.

Michigan Truck Safety Commission

The Michigan Truck Safety Commission is a unique organization, the only one of its kind in the nation funded entirely by the trucking industry.  Its mission is to improve truck safety by providing the trucking industry and the citizens of Michigan with effective educational programs and by addressing specific truck safety issues.  OHSP administers the Commission’s grant program and facilitates quarterly meetings. 

Corporate Outreach

Because traffic crashes are the leading cause of on-the-job death and injury, special efforts are made to engage businesses to promote safe driving practices through the Michigan Network of Employers for Traffic Safety. Employer resources include programs, policies, best practices, and activities designed to be used in the workplace.

Marketing and Communications

Promoting traffic enforcement campaigns through paid advertising, the news media, and outreach are just some components of a communications and marketing program designed to raise awareness of traffic safety issues. OHSP’s communications Section produces newsletters informational materials, news releases, videos, and other communications tools t support all traffic safety areas.

Roadway Safety

Accurate crash data and analysis are essential to understanding crash problems and determining potential solutions. Analysis looks at the who, where, and when of a crash. Safety efforts also involve intersection safety and commercial motor vehicle safety – which promote truck and traffic safety in partnership with the Michigan Truck Safety Commission, the Michigan State Police Motor Carrier Division, and the Michigan Center for Truck Safety.

Evaluation

To determine the effectiveness of OHSP programs, the Program Analysis and Evaluation Unit provides statistics, analysis, research, and evaluation of program activities. This information is used to determine success and set goals for OHSP programs.

Additional Program Areas

In an effort to address a variety of traffic safety issues, OHSP also provides information and assistance through the following program areas: pedestrian, bicycle, school bus, motorcycles, and older drivers.