Ohio State Highway Patrol to enforce safe driving for New Year

OHIO — The Ohio State Highway Patrol plans to be highly visible this New Year’s Eve in order to enforce safe driving across the state. 

“Welcoming in the new year should never end in tragedy,” said Gov. Mike DeWine, R-Ohio. “If you’re celebrating, please take personal responsibility and plan ahead by designating a sober driver.”

OSHP’s New Year’s holiday reporting period runs from Wednesday, Dec. 31 to Sunday, Jan. 4. Travelers are urged to drive responsibly, designate a sober driver or use a rideshare service.

The 2024-2025 two-day holiday reporting period for New Year’s recorded two fatal crashes that killed three people. Of those, one crash and two fatalities involved alcohol and/or drug use. 

OSHP will increase patrols throughout the reporting period with troopers focusing on removing impaired and distracted drivers from the roads.

“Making sure everyone gets home safely is a shared responsibility,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “The cost of an impaired driving conviction is minor compared to the lifelong burden of unnecessarily taking a life.”

Drivers can call #677 to report impaired drivers on the roadway.