On the threshold of the July 4th holiday, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is releasing the final 2011 fatality numbers, which have been confirmed by the Ohio Department of Public Safety. 2011 will go down in history as the safest year on record, with a total of 1,015 traffic fatalities.
However, so far this year fatalities have been on the rise and the Patrol cautions that much work needs to be done to further reduce impaired driving crashes and the resulting fatalities.
"We recognize last year's record accomplishment but need the public's help to reverse the upward trend in 2012," Colonel John Born, Patrol superintendent said. "Last year, more impaired drivers were arrested and fewer impaired driving crashes occurred, but there's significantly more work to do."
Last year the Patrol’s OVI arrests were up 8 percent and OVI-related fatal crashes decreased by 10 percent. Through May of this year Patrol OVI arrests are up 10 percent and OVI-related fatal crashes are down 26 percent.
The Fourth of July is traditionally a dangerous holiday period on Ohio roads, particularly for impaired driving. Last July 4th weekend, troopers arrested 598 drivers for OVI from Friday, July 1 at Midnight through Monday, July 4 at 11:59 p.m.
Troopers will be out in full force removing impaired drivers from Ohio’s roadways this week. If you are driving impaired – you will be arrested.
Troopers encourage the public to continue using #677 to report impaired drivers or drug activity.
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