COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is anticipating the busy holiday season to keep things moving through the weekend. And they’re asking drivers to be safe and cautious on the road.
Since the monitoring period began Wednesday, police have arrested more than 200 people statewide for driving under the influence of alcohol. The monitoring period lasts through Sunday.
Ohio State Highway Patrol Sergeant Tyler Ross said officers arrested 138 people for OVI during their two-day reporting period last year.
“As the weekend approaches, we expect more,” Ross said. “Unfortunately, more and more events will be taking place with alcohol as the weekend approaches. Make the decision to designate a sober driver, use a carpool program, stay if you can, but you cannot drive impaired. At the end of the day, you are driving a deadly weapon on the road,” Ross said.
Ross said people should expect to see police on the roads throughout the weekend.
“We expect to see increased travel this weekend. People will be traveling to and from their destinations. But in this environment, give yourself plenty of time to plan and prepare in advance to get to and from your destination,” Ross said.
He advised people to be patient on the roads, obey speed limits and wear seat belts. He also added that it would be easy to get distracted this weekend too, so always pay close attention to what’s ahead.
“As you watch fireworks or you look at your phone, the road changes rapidly in front of you. Someone brakes, changes lanes. There could be debris on the road. It could be, you know, a commercial tractor-trailer or a tire. It could be those things. Our roads also change rapidly based on our work zones,” Ross said.
Drivers and passengers are urged to call 677 if they see anything unusual.
