OSHP Reminds Drivers to be Safe Traveling for Christmas, Troopers to Increase Visibility

COLUMBUS – With the Christmas holiday fast approaching, the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) is reminding all drivers to prioritize safety and responsible decision-making while traveling and celebrating with family and friends.

“You can help make the holidays safer for those around you by simply being an alert and responsible driver," said Governor DeWine. "This Christmas, and throughout the year, I encourage all drivers in Ohio to put their seatbelts on, put their phones away and put their full focus on the road." 

To promote roadway safety and reduce fatal and injury crashes across the state, the Patrol will be conducting a five-day Christmas holiday reporting period from midnight on Wednesday, December 24 through 11:59 p.m. Sunday, December 28. Throughout this time, troopers will be increasing visibility and focusing enforcement efforts on impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving and safety belt violations.

During the 2024 Christmas holiday reporting period, which ran for two days, there were three fatal crashes, resulting in three deaths. Of those crashes, one involved alcohol and/or drugs, and of the two fatalities in which safety belts were available, both drivers were unbelted.

In that same timeframe, the Patrol made 44 impaired driving arrests, issued 84 citations for safety belt violations and issued 31 citations for distracted driving.

“Every driver has the ability to make our roads safer this holiday season,” said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “We will have zero tolerance for impaired or reckless driving to stop preventable crashes before they happen.”

Anyone traveling on Ohio’s roadways is encouraged to be an active part of traffic safety. If you see an impaired or reckless driver, safely call #677 to connect directly with a Patrol post.