Columbus Judge Launches Delaware County teen driving program
In Delaware County’s juvenile traffic court, teens accompanied by their parents stand before Judge David Hejmanowski each week to face consequences for low-level traffic offenses—such as speeding, failing to stop, or minor accidents. Most will lose their licenses for about a month, face fines, and earn a stern warning from the veteran judge.
But this is not just about punishment. Judge Hejmanowski keeps a sobering list with him—names of local teens who lost their lives in traffic crashes over the past five years. “It is much too long,” he tells them, urging more careful driving.
To help prevent future tragedies, Hejmanowski is spearheading a new teen driver safety initiative using $30,000 from the county’s title fund. Launching this July, the program will offer hands-on advanced driving skills—such as maneuvering on icy roads, reacting to unexpected obstacles, and mastering safe habits behind the wheel.
The goal? To reduce juvenile traffic incidents before they escalate into fatal accidents. In 2023, 90% of the 685 juvenile traffic cases involved minor misdemeanors—like seatbelt violations or fender benders.
By partnering with experienced teen driver education providers, like Better Ohio Teen Drivers, the court will offer reduced license suspensions in exchange for program participation.
This proactive approach is fueled by years of heartbreaking experience. As Judge Hejmanowski explains, it’s often minor errors that lead to devastating outcomes—like a simple overcorrection on a gravel road or hitting a patch of black ice.
“I have seen too many promising lives cut short,” he said. “I am done watching youth die in preventable crashes.”
This innovative program puts Columbus and Delaware County on the map for pioneering teen traffic safety reforms—and saving lives before tragedy strikes.
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