CLEVELAND, Ohio – Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol will spend the Thanksgiving holiday focusing on impaired drivers and those who fail to wear seatbelts.
An enforcement detail begins at midnight Wednesday and runs through Sunday. The days around the holiday are some of the busiest travel days of the year.
During the days around Thanksgiving last year, troopers arrested 326 people across the state for impaired driving. Troopers also responded to 12 fatal crashes in which 13 people died.
Of those, five crashes and six fatalities stemmed from the use of drugs or alcohol, troopers said. In addition, two people who failed to use seatbelts died.
There also were two motorcyclists and two pedestrians killed.
“As we enter the busy holiday travel season, I urge all Ohioans to be safe and smart while behind the wheel,” Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine said in a statement. “All drivers have the opportunity to prevent senseless tragedies by driving responsibly, wearing a seat belt and remaining focused on the road.”
Drivers are encouraged to call #677 to report any unsafe activity on roadways.