OHP looking for impaired driving over Labor Day weekend

The Ohio Highway Patrol plans to set its sights on impaired drivers over the upcoming holiday weekend.

Troopers are urging motorists to drive safely this weekend as they prepare to focus enforcement efforts on removing impaired drivers from Ohio’s roadways.

During the 2017 Labor Day weekend, there were 22 fatal crashes in Ohio that killed 24 people.

The OHP reports that 10 of those killed were the result of drivers operating a vehicle while impaired, and nine of the fatalities were the result of motorists not wearing seat belts. The OHP also reports that they made 851 OVI arrests during last year’s holiday weekend.

“Removing impaired drivers from our roadways is always a primary focus,” OHP Superintendent Col. Paul A. Pride said in a news release. “We take impaired driving seriously and remain dedicated to protecting and serving the motorists on Ohio’s roadways.”

The American Automobile Association predict that there will be an 8.2 percent increase in the amount of holiday traffic this year as more Ohioans are traveling to various destinations to celebrate Labor Day.

The AAA noted that this could lead to congested roadways and suggest to travels that they combat the congestion by planning ahead, allowing extra time, following the traffic laws and sharing the road with other motorists.

AAA also reminds anyone traveling by vehicle to always wear a seat belt.

The OHP will be posting statewide provisional fatalities each morning on Facebook and Twitter @ OSHP as well as on their website, www.statepatrol. gov.

The OHP is encouraging motorists to dial #677 to report impaired drivers and drug activity.