Patrol releases OVI checkpoint results

Ohio State Highway Patrol information

The Van Wert Post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol, the Grover Hill and Scott police departments, and the Paulding County Sheriff’s Office conducted a multi-agency OVI checkpoint from 6-11 p.m. this past Saturday.

The checkpoints were held on Ohio 114 in Grover Hill and on Blaine Street in Scott in Paulding and Van Wert counties.

A total of 149 vehicles passed through the checkpoint, with two vehicles being diverted to a secondary area. There were no OVI arrests in the checkpoint zone, but one person was cited for having an open container of beer in a vehicle.

In addition to the checkpoints, troopers and area agencies worked saturation patrols in the area, with one drug arrest made and eight additional traffic citation issued during the checkpoint timeframe.

Fines from impaired drivers and other federal funding funded the OVI checkpoint and saturation patrols.  The goal was to make motorists more aware of the impaired driver problem in Ohio, help bring about a reduction in the number of alcohol- and drug-related crashes and to deter and intercept impaired drivers.

“Even with the short delays, officers working the event received a tremendous amount of public support during the checkpoint and I want to thank the motoring public for helping to make our roadways safer,” said Van Wert Post Commander Lt. Leslie Brode. “Even though there were no OVI arrests made at the checkpoint line, the checkpoint was beneficial for the public awareness and voluntary compliance.”

Brode urged that those planning to consume alcohol designate a driver or make other travel arrangements before drinking.

“Don’t let another life be lost for the senseless and selfish act of getting behind the wheel impaired,” Brode noted.