Don’t drive Impaired this Labor Day Weekend

COLUMBUS –Labor Day weekend tends to see a spike in traffic incidents, so the Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to buckle up, keep focused on the road, and not drive impaired. During last year’s four-day holiday reporting period of August 30 through September 2, 16 people lost their lives on Ohio’s roadways, with 8 of those deaths involving an impaired driver.

Ohio’s roadways saw the safest year ever in 2013, and 2014 is on track to see even fewer fatalities from traffic-related crashes.

“It’s so much more than just a record. Fewer fatalities on Ohio roadways means more people are getting home safely to their family,” said Colonel Paul A. Pride, Patrol superintendent. “It’s simple. If you are impaired, don’t get behind the wheel.”

Preliminary data indicates 569 confirmed deaths and an additional 31 provisional unconfirmed deaths, for a total of 600 traffic deaths during the first two-thirds of the year. During the same time period in 2013, there had been 610 people killed in traffic-related crashes.

Motorists are encouraged to continue using #677 to report impaired drivers and drug activity.