Recent updates to Ohio’s distracted driving laws have further expanded what may qualify as impaired operation. Texting while driving, using an electronic device, consuming drugs before or while driving, and even activities such as eating or applying makeup behind the wheel can result in citations.
In the past five weeks, nine people have died in traffic crashes throughout the region.
The Mental Health & Recovery Services Board joins Captain Chris Kinn from the Ohio State Highway Patrol to talk about Operation New Beginnings.
Shawnee Township, OH (WLIO) - Shawnee Township will be using grant money to combat drunk driving this New Year's Eve.
A driver, who was allegedly intoxicated, was responsible for three separate car crashes, damaging five vehicles on U.S. 30 this afternoon. According to the Van Wert Post, the driver of a pickup truck, 63-year-old Michael Grundy of Indiana, was traveling eastbound on U.S. 30 and was swerving all over the road, and at times, in the wrong direction and in the grass median. When troopers got to the scene, the driver was missing a front tire and already struck two vehicles.
Holiday celebrations are getting underway, but that's no excuse to not play it safe on the roadways. The Ohio State Highway Patrol will continue to focus on impaired driving this holiday season. They're increasing patrols and putting in overtime to remove drivers under the influence. Last year, 402 people died as a result of OVI related crashes. Also in 2018, between Thanksgiving and New Years Day, nearly 3,000 OVI citations were written. Troopers are reminding you to plan ahead, assign a designated driver, and make sure everyone in the car is wearing a seatbelt.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says a recent enforcement and awareness effort on impaired driving as part of a multi-state law enforcement partnership resulted in a total of 700 arrests for driving under the influence.
Local law enforcement agencies will be out in full force over the next couple days for the Halloween weekend.
