Nine people killed in car crashes over Christmas weekend in Ohio

Over the Christmas weekend, which went from Thursday, December 24, at 12AM to Sunday, December 27, at 11:59PM, nine people were killed in seven fatal crashes in Ohio. Sixty-six percent of those killed in fatal crashes over the holiday were not wearing an available safety belt.

This is lower than in recent years. During the 2019 Christmas weekend, which went from December 23 to 25, 12 people were killed in seven fatal crashes in Ohio. During the 2018 Christmas weekend, which went from December 21 to 25, 11 people were killed in seven fatal crashes in Ohio.

Ohio State Highway Patrol Troopers also removed 142 impaired drivers over the 2020 Christmas weekend. That is an increase of 137% compared to the 2019 Christmas weekend.

The Ohio State Highway Patrol want to remind motorists that using a safety belt remains the single most effective thing you can do to protect yourself in a crash. They also want to remind motorists to plan ahead and designate a sober driver or make other arrangements to ensure everyone arrives safely to their destination.