The Wood County Sheriff’s Office will have increased patrols over the Super Bowl weekend, thanks to grant
funding from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office.
The blitz starts Sunday and continues through Monday.
Deputies will pay particular attention for violations such as driving under the influence, failure to
yield and speeding, all of which are leading factors in fatal crashes.
Wood County Safe Communities is asking that people who are celebrating elsewhere plan for a sober ride
home and have designated drivers.
Another reminder from the patrol: Do not serve alcohol to minors. If an underage person drinks and
drives, the person who provided the alcohol can be held liable for any damage, injury, or death caused
by the underage driver. In fact, you could face jail time if you host a gathering where alcohol is
served to people under the age of 21.
In 2019, there were 10,142 people killed in drunk-driving crashes. The costs can be financial, too. If
you’re caught drinking and driving, you can face jail time, lose your driver’s license and your vehicle,
and pay up to $10,000 in attorney’s fees, fines, higher insurance rates,and lost wages.
To help keep the roads safe this Super Bowl Sunday, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers will be cracking
down on impaired drivers.
During last year’s Super Bowl, the patrol made 68 OVI arrests from 6 a.m. Sunday to 6 a.m. Monday, the
highest number in five years. During the 24-hour reporting period, there were three fatal crashes
killing three people. Also, there were 218 injuries, in which 23 were OVI related.
“The Patrol is committed to removing impaired drivers from our roadways,” said Col. Richard S. Fambro,
Patrol superintendent. “Your decision not to drive impaired shows you value your own safety as well as
the safety of motorists around you. Your actions can also influence your friends and family to make the
same choice.”
Call #677 to report impaired drivers and drug activity.