OHIO VALLEY — As part of the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s mantra — Trooper Shield — and their ongoing effort to contribute to a safer Ohio, troopers have had an increased focus on impaired driving enforcement — and these efforts are paying off. In 2012, Operating a Vehicle while Intoxicated (OVI) arrests increased three percent, and OVI-related crashes decreased by 14 percent.

Throughout 2012, troopers made 24,520 OVI arrests statewide. Of these, nearly one in four — 23 percent — included a speed violation, and 17 percent included a violation for driving without a valid driver license.

In addition, there were 12,168 OVI-related crashes on Ohio roadways, killing 431 and injuring 7,299. Impaired drivers were responsible for 40 percent of the fatal crashes in 2012.

“We can’t fight the battle against impaired driving on our own — we need your commitment to make our roads safe,” said Lt. Max Norris. “You can contribute to a safer Ohio by actively influencing friends and family to make safe, responsible decisions, like planning ahead to designate a driver and insisting that everyone in the vehicle is buckled up.”

Last year, state troopers from the Gallipolis Post, arrested 238 impaired drivers in southeast Ohio.

The public is encouraged to call #677 to report impaired drivers, drug activity or stranded motorists.