The OVI checkpoints that were initiated Friday to deter and patrol for impaired drivers caught some individuals operating their vehicles illegally.
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The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office and the Montgomery County Combined Agency OVI Task Force conducted OVI sobriety checkpoints Friday, June 30, between 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. The checkpoints were held in the 3900 block of Salem Avenue from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., which was then moved to the 5300 block of Gettysburg Avenue from 9 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
During the checkpoints, over 274 cars passed through the OVI checkpoints with four vehicles driving through these checkpoints without stopping, effectively fleeing from deputies. In addition, two citations for Driving Under Suspension and two citations for registration violation were handed out. One person was tested for possible impairment.
Deputies stated they would continue to conduct these OVI checkpoints and increase patrol during the Fourth of July holiday weekend.
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The Ohio State Highway Patrol also planned to be “highly visible” while cracking down on impaired drivers during the holiday period from 12 a.m. on Monday, July 3 to 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4.
The Patrol’s zero-tolerance policy was part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign aimed at removing impaired drivers from the roadways.
“Ohio has some of the country’s best Fourth of July celebrations and we want to make sure that these gatherings are safe for everyone,” Governor Mike DeWine said.
Authorities informed that many of the deadly crashes caused by impaired driving happened during holidays.
During last year’s Fourth of July reporting period, from July 1 through July 4, a total of 16 deadly crashes killed 16 people. Of those, 11 crashes and 11 deaths involved alcohol and/or drugs. Of the seven deaths in which seatbelts were available, five were unbelted. There were seven motorcyclists and two pedestrians also killed during this time frame.
“Too often our troopers see the tragic side of holiday celebrations,” Patrol Superintendent Colonel Charles A. Jones said. “When you operate a vehicle impaired, you’re putting the lives of everyone on our roadways at risk.”
Everyone was advised to drive responsibly and designate a driver if they planned on indulging in celebrations. Motorists were encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity, or stranded motorists.
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