Drunken Driving Checkpoint (Somewhere) This Week

The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced Monday that troopers will operate a drunk driving checkpoint to deter and intercept impaired drivers this week. 

The county where the checkpoint will take place will be announced the day before the checkpoint and the location will be announced the morning of the checkpoint. 

"Based on provisional data, there were 332 OVI related fatal crashes in which 359 people were killed last year in Ohio," said Lt. Nakia J. Hendrix, commander of the patrol’s Ravenna post. "State troopers make on average 25,000 OVI arrests each year in combating these dangerous drivers. OVI checkpoints are designed to not only deter impaired driving, but to proactively remove these dangerous drivers from our roadways."

The most recent checkpoint was on the same night as trick-or-treat in Stow. Police said 515 cars went through the checkpoint that night. 

"If you plan to consume alcohol, designate a driver or make other travel arrangements before you drink. Don’t let another life be lost for the senseless and selfish act of getting behind the wheel impaired," said Hendrix. 

Operational support for the sobriety checkpoints will be provided by local law enforcement agencies.

Check Patch for more information as it is made available.