Patrol Continues to Focus on Removing Impaired Drivers from Ohio Roadways

Joe Lyons • December 6, 2023

Ashland – As part of the Patrol’s ongoing efforts to make Ohio roadways safer, troopers continue to focus on impaired driving this month and throughout the holiday season.

“The holidays are a special time of great joy, and I encourage all drivers to contribute to the happiness of the season by choosing to drive responsibly,” said Governor DeWine. “The Ohio State Highway Patrol will be patrolling our roadways to intercept those who choose to risk their own lives and the lives of others by driving impaired.”

Since 2019, there have been 60,926 impaired driving-related crashes, killing 3,225 people, accounting for 53 percent of all fatal crashes on Ohio roadways. Additionally, during the same time period, more than 37,000 others were injured in OVI-related crashes. Franklin (6,647), Cuyahoga (5,227), Hamilton (4,521) and Montgomery (2,918) counties accounted for nearly one out of every three OVI-related crashes in Ohio.

“Telling family or friends that their loved one is not coming home is one of the hardest things our troopers have to do, especially around the holidays,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “When you plan ahead and make responsible decisions, such as driving sober, you are helping us make this a safe holiday season.”

Troopers have issued more than 86,000 OVI-related citations since 2019, with nearly one in four citations involving a motorist impaired by one or more drugs.

The public is encouraged to call #677 to report reckless or impaired drivers and drug activity.

A statistical map containing OVI-related crash and citation information can be found here and additional OVI-related enforcement and educational information can be found on the Patrol’s Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety (OSTATS) OVI Dashboard.