With festivities on the horizon and road trips nearly underway as the Fourth of July is quickly approaching, the Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding drivers of its zero-tolerance policy when it comes to impaired driving

For the holiday reporting period, which begins Wednesday, July 3 and runs through Sunday, July 7, troopers will be cracking down on drinking and driving.

OSP is encouraging all drivers and motorists to abide by traffic laws throughout the weekend.

As the Fourth of July celebrations often encompasses some alcoholic beverages, OSP is requesting all drivers keep themselves and others on the roadways safe by designating a sober driver.

From July 3 to July 4, 2018, four fatal crashes killed eight people in Ohio. That total includes one OVI-related crash that killed three people. Approximately 302 OVI arrests were made by the Patrol during that time frame.

“When someone chooses to drive impaired, the consequences can be deadly,” Colonel Richard Fambro, Patrol Superintendent, said. “If you plan to drink, help make everyone’s holiday safe by designating a sober ride home.”

In the first five months of 2019, troopers have made more than 10,000 impaired driving arrests. During that time, there were 22 fewer OVI-related crashes resulting in fatalities throughout Ohio, according to a media release.

Troopers from the Zanesville Post of OSP have taken 234 impaired drivers off the roadways since the start of the year.

“We can’t fight the battle against impaired driving on our own – we need your commitment to make our roads safe,” Lieutenant Matt Boyd with the Zanesville Post said. “Everyone can help make our roads safer by planning ahead, designating a sober driver and insisting that everyone in the vehicle is buckled up.”

Drivers are encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists.