Ohio State Highway Patrol: Don’t drink and drive on the holiday

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is encouraging drivers to think twice before getting behind the wheel impaired this weekend in an effort to have a holiday weekend free of fatal and injury crashes.

The Fourth of July weekend is traditionally a dangerous holiday period on Ohio roads, particularly for impaired-driving crashes. During last year’s holiday, nearly 50 percent of the 15 people killed on Ohio roadways were involved in alcohol-related crashes.

Troopers will be out in full force, beginning Thursday, said Col. Richard H. Collins, patrol superintendent.

Motorists should also be reminded that wearing a safety belt is the single most effective tool in reducing injuries and deaths in crashes caused by impaired drivers.

The patrol’s increased and specialized enforcement is made possible through federal overtime funding and works in conjunction with Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort).

Troopers encourage the public to continue using 1 (877) 7-PATROL to report dangerous drivers or stranded motorists, or 1 (800) GRAB DUI to report impaired drivers.