Survive the Summer is more than just a catch phrase.

This summer the Ohio State Highway Patrol is joining the Ohio Department of Public Safety in an effort coined Survive the Summer to make this an enjoyable, and safe travel season.

Summer is a time when more people take to the roads for family outings and vacations. Consequently, having more vehicles on the roads equates to more hazardous driving conditions, and a greater potential for crashes.

The three major summer travel holidays, Memorial Day, July 4th, and Labor Day are traditionally among the deadliest times of the year on Ohio roadways. Last year, 42 people were killed on Ohio roads during these three holiday periods.

Looking back at the Memorial Day weekend, the first of the three summer travel holidays, there appears to still be work to be done if we are to make this a safe summer for Ohio motorists.

The good news is we did see a reduction in fatalities on primary routes over the Memorial Day weekend compared to last year in Ohio. The Ohio State Highway Patrol investigated five fatal crashes on interstates and state routes during the holiday.

The bad news, however, is 13 people were killed in nine fatal crashes over the Memorial Day reporting period. These preventable tragedies are still an all-too-frequent occurrence on our roadways.

As a reminder, safety belts remain as your best defense against serious injury or death in the event of a motor vehicle crash. Over Memorial Day, state troopers participated in Operation ABC (America Buckle Up Children) and issued 224 child restraint violations statewide, and made 10,793 safety belt arrests.

Thoughts now turn to the upcoming July 4th holiday, and later to the Labor Day weekend. Although these holidays are typically a time of fun and relaxation for many, they are unfortunately also a dangerous time for motorists.

A total of six people were killed over the July 4th period, and 21 were killed over the four-day Labor Day weekend in 1998. Alcohol and impaired driving continues to be a contributing factor in too many of these tragedies.

Safety on Ohio roadways involves a commitment from all motorists by slowing down, wearing safety belts, and avoiding unnecessary risks and the aggressive driving that leads to road rage.

The Survive the Summer campaign kicks off on June 30, 1999, with the goal of reminding people that three keys to a safe summer are to drive sober, to buckle up, and to slow down and drive the speed limit.

Kickoff events will be held outside the Ohio Department of Public Safety building in Columbus, and Patrol posts throughout Ohio.

Free Survive the Summer materials including water bottles and driver safety fact cards will be available to the general public to remind them to "survive the summer."

Many Patrol posts also will be distributing free materials to the motorists in their areas including buckle up stadium cups, and safety belt posters featuring the McDonald’s Championship Racing Team and driver Tony Kanaan.

Tally boards will be posted around the state to keep a running total of deaths over the July 4th and Labor Day weekends. The purpose of these tally boards is to remind motorists that driving is serious business.

The campaign will also include television and radio public service announcements.

Whether traveling by car for a long trip or a weekend get-away, remember the Patrol updates road construction and travel conditions on a toll-free road and weather conditions hotline, 1-888-2-OH-ROAD.

In addition, motorists are encouraged to contact the Highway Patrol to report drunk drivers by dialing 1-800-GRAB-DUI or cellular *DUI.

1-877-7-PATROL serves as another link between the public and Patrol to receive highway help, report aggressive drivers, and advise troopers of disabled vehicles. Keep these important phone numbers in the glove compartment of your car.

Public participation in safety efforts is the key in reducing the deaths which historically occur on Ohio roads during the summer.

In order for us to reduce these very preventable deaths and ensure motorists Survive the Summer, I am asking everyone to buckle up, obey the speed limit and drive sober.