Ohio patrol takes part in holiday traffic crackdown

Associated Press

Ohio law enforcement authorities are participating in a regional crackdown on holiday motorists who violate seat belt and other traffic safety laws.

Midwest administrator Michael Witter with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said the effort is focusing on nighttime hours from Tuesday through this weekend and has a simple goal: to save lives. He said officers don’t enjoy writing tickets but it’s far worse to have to notify next of kin after a fatal crash.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol said 14 people were killed in Ohio crashes last year over the Thanksgiving holiday period.

The regional mobilization involves the state police agencies in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin.

Traveling to your Thanksgiving day destination could get a little challenging for motorists in Northeast Ohio and western Pennsylvania.

Snow was falling Tuesday, and a winter weather advisory had been issued for counties in southwestern Pennsylvania.

Snow was expected to fall into today, which is usually the busiest travel day of the year.