OSHP uses the net to display traffic citation statistics

by Natalie Myers
Staff Writer

Can't forget about that speeding ticket you acquired? That memory might last a long time now that Ohio State Highway Patrol and Athens Police Department traffic citations are displayed on the Web.

The OSHP added the data for traffic stops to its Web site (http://www.state.oh.us/ohiostatepatrol) on April 3. This data includes a breakdown of traffic citations by race and information about other OSHP activities.

"We've done it at our own initiative," OSHP Lt. Gary Lewis said of putting the information online. The purpose is to allow the public to view the information for their personal knowledge and interest.

"We are at a place in technology where people can view (data) without the red tape or having to jump through hoops to get it," he said.

The diversity data will enable the public to view all aspects of OSHP's traffic safety effort, according to the release. OSHP will update it on a quarterly basis.

The Athens Police Department also provides citation information on the Internet.

Every week, APD prints out a list of all offenses and traffic violations and turns them in to the mayor's office, which in turn puts the information on the city's Web site (http://www.ci.athens.oh.us) under various departments and activity reports, APD Chief Richard Mayer said.

If the information needs to be updated after further investigation, the APD will update the Web site.

"We modify what we put on it," Mayer said. "Sometimes minor revisions have to be made."

Mayer said he sometimes adds his own observations to the end of each section of offenses, he said. This week, one comment expressed Mayer's concern about the frequency of speeding in residential areas.

The purpose of the activity reports is to show other government officials and the public what is going on in Athens, Mayer said.