The Ohio State Highway Patrol says 23 people were killed in 20 crashes during the four-day Labor Day weekend, according to preliminary data released Tuesday.
The reporting period began at midnight Friday, Aug. 29, and ended at 11:59 p.m. Monday, Sept. 1. Troopers said at least four of the crashes involved impaired drivers.
To combat impaired driving, troopers made 398 OVI arrests and 67 drug-related arrests during the holiday weekend.
Of the fatalities where seat belts were available, seven victims were not wearing one, the patrol reported. Although Ohio’s seat belt law is a secondary violation, troopers issued 1,872 seat belt citations as part of a zero-tolerance effort during the holiday period.
Troopers also responded to 490 crashes, issued 1,308 citations for distracted driving and assisted 1,568 motorists statewide.
The Highway Patrol encourages drivers to report unsafe or impaired motorists by calling #677.
