COLUMBUS, Ohio – After a jump last year, there were 28 percent fewer traffic fatalities in Ohio over the Memorial Day weekend this year.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says 13 people, including one pedestrian, lost their lives over the four-day holiday weekend period, compared with 18 last year. There were 13 deaths in 2012 and 14 in 2011, according to the patrol
Three of the fatalities were the result of impaired driving, even though troopers made 757 arrests for OVI during the period from Friday through Monday, seven percent more than in 2013.
Troopers also handed out 7,278 safety belt citations, an increase of more than 19 percent. Three of the fatal crashes involved vehicle occupants who were not buckled up, the patrol said.
The patrol says troopers assisted 4,992 motorists during the holiday weekend.