What are your Labor Day plans? Whether you’re planning to head out to the ballpark and watch the Cincinnati Reds, manning the grill for a cookout or just chilling out with some friends, if your holiday plans involve alcohol, Ohio law enforcement will be out in force from now until midnight on September 5.
Troopers with the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) will be out in droves enforcing the state laws against drinking and driving. As one OHSP superintendent stated, patrol officers “want Ohioans to practice safe driving behaviors to help us make this Labor Day weekend safe for everyone on our roadways.” He further suggests that anyone who chooses to imbibe should “[p]lan ahead and designate a sober driver.”
It’s all about safety
While no one wants to be arrested on OVI charges for operating a vehicle while impaired, it can happen to anyone if they have been drinking and decide to drive.
Last year, there were five deaths in five separate accidents in which four of the motorists were impaired by either alcohol, drugs or a combination of the two. Police also arrested 406 drivers all across the state for suspicion of impaired driving.
Don’t become or cause a statistic this year
Celebrating the holiday dedicated to the hardworking people in our great state is fine. Just have a plan for a sober ride home by designating a sober driver, getting a lift from a rideshare like Lyft or Uber or planning to spend the night at the home of your hosts.
Should you wind up facing an OVI charge, it is important to learn all about your rights under the law in order to launch an aggressive defense to the charges.