COLUMBUS – The Ohio State Highway Patrol will join law enforcement agencies across the country for National Holiday Lifesavers Weekend Mobilization, a continuing effort to prevent alcohol-related crashes and reduce fatalities from Ohio’s roadways.

As part of the mobilization, starting today through Dec. 18, troopers will hold saturation patrols throughout the state in areas with high incidents of impaired driving. National Holiday Lifesavers Weekend is organized by Operation C.A.R.E. (Combined Accident Reduction Effort), which was formed as a multi-jurisdictional program of patrol, enforcement, and planning activities committed to crash reduction.

Last year the Patrol arrested over 25,000 impaired drivers and stopped 87,000 aggressive drivers alone.

“Troopers and Patrol personnel throughout the state are making roadways safer daily by removing impaired drivers,” Colonel Paul McClellan, Superintendent of the Patrol said. “The tragedy of impaired driving is preventable. By designating a sober driver or calling a taxi, the chance of everyone arriving at their destination safely significantly increases.”

Last Christmas holiday weekend, 14 people were killed in crashes in Ohio. Five of the deaths were alcohol-related.

In honor of National Drunk & Drugged Driving (3D) Prevention Month, troopers throughout Ohio will continue to participate in the MADD Tie One On For Safety campaign to remind Ohioans to designate a driver.

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