Highway Patrol releases Labor Day traffic statistics

COLUMBUS — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reporting 15 people lost their lives in 15 traffic crashes during the Labor Day reporting period, which began midnight Aug. 30 and ended at 11:59 p.m. Sept. 2.

One of the fatal wrecks occurred in Meigs County, while another one happened in Hocking County.

In those fatalities in which safety belts were available, seven were unbelted. Ohio’s safety belt law remains a secondary violation; however, troopers continued to have zero tolerance during the holiday reporting period when motorists were stopped for other violations and were found not wearing their safety belt. Throughout the reporting period, troopers issued more than 2,000 safety belt and child safety seat citations.

Additionally, six of the fatal crashes were OVI-related. Troopers also made 378 arrests for impaired driving and 50 for drug-related charges.

The Patrol responded to 519 crashes and made 25,674 traffic contacts in total. Troopers also issued 930 citations for distracted driving and provided assistance to 1,829 motorists.

In Athens County, there were 315 OSHP incidents, while Meigs County had 171; Vinton, 51; Washington, 414; Hocking, 70, Morgan, 9; and Perry, 16.

Motorists are encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers or drug activity.