The Montgomery County combined Agency OVI Task Force conducted two OVI checkpoints in Harrison Twp. between 6:30 and 11:30 p.m. Friday to identify and remove impaired drivers from roadways to prevent injury and fatal traffic crashes, the task force stated in a release.
One was in the 4600 block of North Main Street, which had 467 cars pass through. Out of those vehicles, one person was arrested for OVI, one was arrested on a warrant for failing to pay child support, four were given citations for driving under a suspended license, one was cited for a child restraint violation and one was given a citation for fictitious plates.
The second checkpoint was in the 5900 block of North Dixie Drive, and had 207 cars pass through it, only issuing a single citation for driving under a suspended license.
Saturation patrols in the area of the checkpoints issued five citations for driving under a suspended license, two citations for disobeying traffic control devices and arrested one person on a warrant for theft.
The two locations were selected due to the frequency of OVI offenses or crashes in those areas, said Capt. Dave Parin of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office.
Extra patrols in the area also will help identify and remove impaired drivers throughout the holiday weekend.
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“OVI checkpoint and saturation patrols are good tools for removing impaired drivers from roadways and an excellent opportunity to spread awareness among the general public,” Parin said.
Checkpoints involved questions and license plate checks and possible alcohol tests for drivers showing signs of impairment.
Meanwhile, the Miami County Sheriff’s Office and Ohio State Highway Patrol both announced plans to step up patrols to intercept and deter impaired drivers.
In a release, OSHP said that its increased patrols would start at midnight on Thursday and run through Sunday as part of a national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.
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Miami County Sheriff’s deputies will implement extra enforcement starting on Friday and running through Sunday, the office announced.
Miami County Sheriff Dave Duchak added that for the rest of the month deputies would focus on impaired drivers and other crash-causing violations, targeting roads with the most crashes and OVI arrests.