COLUMBUS - The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced today that troopers will operate a low-manpower OVI checkpoint to deter and intercept impaired drivers this weekend.

The checkpoint will be held in conjunction with nearby saturation patrols to aggressively combat alcohol-related injury and fatal crashes.

The county where the checkpoint will be held will be announced the day prior to the checkpoint, and the location will be announced the morning of the checkpoint.

“Ohio traffic crash statistics show that there were over 17,000 alcohol-related crashes in 2005 and 477 of those crashes ended in death,” Colonel Paul D. McClellan, superintendent of the Patrol, said. “These checkpoints are designed to not only deter impaired driving, but to proactively remove these dangerous drivers from our roadways.”

In addition, the Patrol also continues its strict enforcement of safety belt violations with the What’s Holding You Back?/Click It or Ticket campaign. Troopers will have zero tolerance for safety belt violations when motorists are stopped for violations and are not wearing a required safety belt or don’t have children properly restrained in child safety seats.

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.

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

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