Ohio motorists do not seem to be getting the memo about driving sober and buckling up. With 63 fatal I-70 accidents from 2010 to 2014, the Ohio State Highway Patrol stayed busy this past weekend patrolling I-70 in an effort to decrease reckless and negligent driving accidents.
The weekends tally resulted in nine driving under the influence arrests, 31 seatbelt violations, and 249 speeding tickets. Fatalities on I-70 this year are nearly two times greater than they were last year, totally 17 deaths thus far seven of which involved alcohol and/or drugs.
Such statistics have prompted troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol, along with the Indiana and Pennsylvania State Police, to join together as part of a 6-State Trooper project. The goal of the law enforcement partnership is to coordinate and merge law enforcement services, specifically in criminal patrol, highway safety, and the sharing of intelligence, in an effort to reduce the amount of car accident fatalities caused by reckless driving.
Reckless driving can present itself in many forms. Driving while intoxicated, speeding, driving while fatigued, not wearing a seatbelt, and distracted driving all constitute reckless driving. Such negligent driving practices can have tragic results for drivers, passengers, and other motorists, including deaths that could have otherwise been prevented.
According to Ohio Patrol superintendent, Colonel Paul A. Pride, this recent weekends effort was just one of many in an attempt to save lives. He is reminding motorists to buckle up, slow down, and drive sober in order to keep the highways safe for everyone not just in Ohio, but across the entire nation.
If you or your loved one have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, the experienced car accident lawyers at the law offices of O’Connor, Acciani & Levy are waiting to assist you and help you get the compensation you deserve.