Agencies recommend motorists plan ahead and drive sober

The Christmas holiday is the second most traveled of the year with Ohio Department of Transportation traffic count stations recording a 37 percent increase in traffic volume, according to a news release.

“The hustle and bustle of the holiday season has all of us in a hurry to get where we need to go, but patience will be key to traveling safely,” ODOT Director Jerry Wray said in the release.

Ohio has recorded 1,136 traffic deaths so far in 2017; excessive speed has been a contributing factor in 30 percent of deadly crashes. In total, 26,909 crashes have been directly linked to speed in Ohio this year, according to the release.

ODOT reduces the size of work zones during holiday travel, but urges drivers to be extra alert in areas where that is not possible.

Travelers can see traffic cameras, current speeds, traffic alerts and work zone information on OHGO. com or with the OHGO app (available at OHGO.com/ app).

Before you get on the road, the Ohio Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to drive sober this holiday season.

Troopers will focus enforcement efforts to remove impaired drivers from roadways to reduce fatal and injury crashes, according to a news release.

In 2016, 10 OVI-related fatal crashes resulted in 13 deaths during the Christmas holiday. Additionally, three OVI-related fatal crashes resulted in four deaths during the New Year’s holiday.

“During the holiday season, we see an increase in impaired driving,” OHP superintendent Colonel Paul A. Pride said in the news release. “If you drink, don’t drive. Designate a sober driver or call for a ride.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, last year 781 people nationwide lost their lives in traffic crashes involving an impaired driver during the month of December.

Motorists are encouraged to report impaired drivers and drug activity by calling #677.