OHIO — The Ohio State Highway Patrol has a simple message for motorists this holiday weekend: don't drink and drive.

What You Need To Know

  • The Ohio State Highway Patrol will have an increased presence on roads during the holiday weekend
  • Last Fourth of July, 25 people were killed in crashes statewide

  • If you see an impaired driver you can call #677 to make a report​

"We are going to be stepping up our patrol efforts and making sure that we're highly visible and trying to keep everyone safe," said Sgt. Ray Santiago.

After 11 years on duty, seeing the impact deadly crashes have on people never leaves Santiago's memory.

"The one thing that we can't train for enough and that you never get used to is having to make a death notification or being on the scene of a fatal crash where you see a young person who lost their life to something that could've been prevented," Santiago said.

That's why troopers will be out looking for impaired drivers this weekend. They're hoping increased enforcement will save lives.

"Last year, we had 25 traffic fatalities statewide. We don't want to see those numbers again. That's 25 families that had to deal with the tragedy that they didn't have to that was completely unnecessary," Santiago said.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol out of those 25 deadly crashes, 17 involved drugs or alcohol.

Santiago said people should plan ahead to help reduce the chance of a crash.

"If you know that you're going to partake in some festivities and drinking, plan ahead and have a sober driver or a rideshare program to get yourself home," Santiago said.

Santiago said if you see an impaired driver on the road you should pull over and safely call #677 to make a report.