Patrol provides OVI-related statistics

Van Wert independent/OSHP information

As part of the Patrol’s new symbol of its efforts – Trooper Shield – and its ongoing effort to contribute to a safer Ohio, troopers will have an increased focus on impaired driving enforcement in 2011.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol OVI-Related Crashes and Arrests statistical recap from the Patrol’s Statistical Analysis Unit, troopers made 22,064 OVI arrests statewide during 2010. Of these, more than one in five – 22 percent – included a speed violation; 18 percent included a violation for driving without a valid driver license; and nearly one-eighth included a safety belt violation.

In addition, there were 13,919 OVI-related crashes on Ohio roadways, killing 397 and injuring 8,517. The Patrol’s new superintendent, Colonel John Born, has deemed these numbers “unacceptable”.

“We can’t fight the battle against impaired driving on our own – we need your commitment to make our roads safe,” said Lt. Raymond Haas, commander of the Van Wert Patrol post. “You can contribute to a safer Ohio by actively influencing friends and family to make safe, responsible decisions – like planning ahead to designate a driver and insisting that everyone in the vehicle is buckled up, can go a long way toward ensuring tragedies do not occur.”

Last year, state troopers from the Van Wert Post arrested 118 impaired drivers who were posing a significant danger to innocent motorists.

The public is encouraged to continue using 877.7.PATROL to report dangerous drivers, impaired drivers or stranded motorists.

To view a copy of the entire statistical recap, visit http://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/doc/March_OVI_Bulletin.pdf