COLUMBUS – Starting today through December 17, 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 on Ohio’s roadways.

As part of the mobilization troopers will conduct 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 in 1977 as a multi-state enforcement effort between Michigan and Indiana State Police to patrol, enforce, and plan activities committed to crash reduction.

Last year the Patrol arrested 25,125 impaired drivers and stopped 110,924 aggressive drivers.

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

Last year during the Lifesaver weekend, eight people were killed in crashes in Ohio. Three of the deaths were alcohol-related. In 2005, there were 474 fatal crashes on Ohio roadways involving alcohol.

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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