Highway Patrol warns drivers to not press their luck on St. Patrick’s Day
COLUMBUS – Ahead of St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is warning drivers not to press their luck and drive impaired.
According to the Highway Patrol, during the last five years, impaired driving accounted for 219 crashes with 128 injuries on St. Patrick’s Day. Seven of those crashes fatal and resulted in 10 deaths.
During those five years, the Highway Patrol made 545 OVI arrests on St. Patrick’s Day.
“Before celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, designate a sober driver,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “The safety of everyone on our roadways is our top priority. We want everyone to get to and from their destination safely.”
Ohio Investigative Unit agents will also be working to educate permit holders on the consequences of over-serving. Bars and permit holders that over-serve or serve underage customers could receive costly fines, suspension, or revocation of their liquor permit.