From now through the end of the year, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will have more troopers patrolling the roadways in an effort to combat impaired driving.

Along with combating impaired driving, the extra troopers are also aiming to reduce the number of accidents and, specifically, fatal crashes.

“The Christmas and Thanksgiving holidays tend to be the holiday travel periods where we have a lot more crashes,” Lieutenant Matt Boyd of the OSP Zanesville Post said. “Not that it’s ever a good time for fatal crashes, but when you lose someone around the holidays, it has a significant impact.”

In 2017, there were 405 people that died due to impaired drivers in Ohio, another 8,848 people sustained injuries due to impaired drivers. Those OVI-related accidents accounted for 35 percent of the total fatal crashes in Ohio in 2017, according to a media release.

For 2018, the overall number of fatal crashes in Ohio is slightly down from last year, although Boyd said it can always be better.

“No number is a good number when it comes to losing somebody or the number of fatal crashes,” Boyd said.

The OSP Zanesville Post covers both Muskingum and Coshocton counties. Thus far in 2018, there have been 11 fatal accidents in Muskingum County and three in Coshocton County. Of those 14 fatal accidents that the Zanesville Post responded to, four were related to impaired driving.

While harsh weather conditions aren’t anticipated much over the holidays, Boyd advised drivers to slow down and take precautions when it does start snowing or when the temperature drops below the freezing point. Bridges and overpasses always freeze first.

In addition to accounting for weather surroundings, Boyd added that wearing a seat belt is the best way to protect drivers and passengers on the roadways.

Muskingum County follows state trends with about 85 percent of people that voluntarily wear seat belts.

“No one ever plans to be involved in a crash, that’s why you need to be defensive when driving and take those extra precautions, wear seat belts, everything you can do to protect yourself,” Boyd said.

Troopers can’t patrol all areas at all times, so OSP is asking drivers to call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists that may see on the roadways. Boyd said a caller can be as involved as calling the number and helping OSP locate the driver by following them until a trooper arrives, or as little involvement as reporting a license plate, type or color of vehicle.