COLUMBUS, Ohio (ADAMS) – The Ohio State Highway Patrol says seven people died on the highways during the Christmas holiday this year.
According to yesterday’s report, three of the seven deaths resulted from not wearing safety belts and two were from operating a vehicle under the influence. Troopers said the seven fatalities this year are two fewer than the number of people killed during the 2020 holiday.
The Patrol said it made over 2,100 traffic stops over the holiday with 162 OVI arrests, more than 200 seatbelt violations, and just over 40 distracted driver violations.
Patrol released the following:
Provisional statistics released today show fewer motorists were killed on Ohio’s roadways this Christmas holiday, as compared to the three previous years.
During the four-day reporting period, from Thursday, December 23, at 12 a.m. until Sunday, December 26, at 11:59 p.m., seven people were killed in seven fatal crashes. Three of those killed in fatal crashes over the holiday were not wearing an available safety belt.
Troopers removed 162 impaired drivers from Ohio’s roads during the holiday, which is an increase of nearly 12 percent compared to last year. Motorists are reminded to plan ahead and designate a sober driver or make other arrangements to ensure everyone arrives safely to their destination.
Nine people were killed in 2020, which ran from December 24 to 27. In 2019, there were 12 people killed, which ran from December 24 to 25.
The public is encouraged to continue using #677 to report dangerous or impaired drivers, as well as drug activity. A statistical analysis of the Patrol’s enforcement activity over the holiday is available here.
