COLUMBUS — Provisional statistics from the Ohio State Highway Patrol show that 17 people were killed in 14 fatal crashes on Ohio roadways during the Christmas holiday reporting period.
Of the 17 fatalities, four individuals were not wearing seat belts. Three deaths involved pedestrians, and two were related to operating a vehicle while impaired.
The five-day reporting period began at midnight Wednesday, Dec. 24, and continued through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 28.
During that time, troopers arrested 231 drivers for OVI and 35 individuals for drug-related offenses. Troopers also issued 288 safety belt citations and 147 distracted driving citations, and assisted 1,173 motorists statewide.
By comparison, during last year’s two-day Christmas holiday reporting period, from Dec. 24–25, three people were killed in traffic crashes on Ohio roads.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol encourages the public to report dangerous or impaired driving, as well as drug activity, by calling #677.
