OSHP: OVI and seat-belt citiations up over the Memorial Day weekend

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Highway Patrol made more impaired-driving arrests and issued more seat-belt citations this Memorial Day weekend — from Friday through Monday — than during last year’s holiday weekend.

Troopers made 757 arrests for operating a vehicle while impaired — an increase of more than seven percent over last year, the patrol reported today. They also cited 7,278 vehicle occupants for safety violations — an increase of more than 19 percent.

In addition, preliminary statistics show 13 people died over the weekend in traffic accidents, which is a decrease from 18 deaths recorded in 2013. Three of the fatalities are OVI related, patrol officials said.