Troopers Will Be Out in Force over Labor Day Weekend

The Ohio State Highway Patrol is warning drivers to not get behind the wheel impaired this Labor Day weekend.

Last Labor Day weekend, 11 people were killed on Ohio roadways, according to a news release from the patrol.

Six of those crashes were alcohol-related. During the same weekend, troopers arrested 539 drivers for operating a vehicle while impaired. 

“So far this year traffic crash fatalities are down and OVI arrests are up – and we hope to continue this trend over the holiday weekend,” Col. John Born, superintendent of the patrol, said in the news release. “Motorists need to make smart decisions, they need to plan ahead and designate a sober driver or call a taxi to ensure that everyone makes it home safe.” 

Troopers will be conducting sobriety checkpoints across the state over the holiday weekend. This is a continued effort that began Aug. 19 when state troopers and thousands of law enforcement officers in communities throughout Ohio joined forces for a combined impaired driving enforcement effort as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over crackdown.

Troopers encourage the public to continue using 1-877-7-PATROL to report impaired or dangerous drivers, as well as stranded motorists.