The Ohio State Highway Patrol is releasing new data from the Christmas holiday reporting period, showing increased enforcement activity and multiple deadly crashes across the state, including in northeast Ohio.
According to the Patrol, 17 people were killed in 14 crashes statewide between Dec. 24 and Dec. 28. Of those killed, several were not wearing seatbelts, and others involved impaired driving or pedestrians.
Northeast Ohio counties recorded some of the highest enforcement activity in the state, with troopers conducting hundreds of traffic stops across Cuyahoga, Summit, Stark, Mahoning, Medina and surrounding counties. The region also saw high numbers of citations for speeding, impaired driving, and seatbelt violations.
Statewide, troopers made 231 OVI arrests, issued 288 seatbelt citations, and responded to more than 1,100 motorist assists during the five-day holiday period. Officials say enforcement was especially heavy in urban and high-traffic corridors, including northeast Ohio.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says the data highlights ongoing concerns about risky driving behaviors and is urging drivers to buckle up, slow down, and avoid impaired driving as travel continues into the new year.
