As part of the Patrol’s ongoing effort to contribute to a safer Ohio, troopers are continuing their increased focus on impaired driving enforcement – and these efforts are paying off. For the fourth year in a row, troopers removed well over 24,000 impaired drivers from Ohio roadways.

OVI-related crashes accounted for 35 percent of all fatal crashes in Ohio in 2015, a percentage that has remained steady for the past 3 years.

There were 14,227 OVI-related crashes on Ohio roadways, killing 395 and injuring 8,478. Speed was a contributing factor in 60 percent of all OVI-related crashes. Of drivers considered at-fault in OVI-related crashes, 54 percent were in their 20’s and 30’s, and 71 percent were male.

“We need motorists to commit to keeping our roads safe by planning ahead to designate a driver and insisting that everyone in the vehicle is buckled up,” said Lt. Scott Rike “You can also help fight the battle against impaired driving by actively influencing friends and family to do the same.”

Last year, state troopers from the Bucyrus Post, arrested 137 impaired drivers in this area.

The public is encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists.

To view a copy of the entire statistical recap, visit http://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/doc/OVI_Bulletin_2016.pdf