The Ohio State Highway Patrol has reported the results of its 11th annual “Lights for Lives” operation.
“Lights for Lives” is a multi-agency, multi-jurisdictional, cooperative enforcement campaign. The OSHP states it is “focused on officers activating their overhead lights and stopping as many vehicles that have committed traffic violations to save as many lives as possible.” It began on Nov. 22 at 6 a.m. and ran through Nov. 24th at 6 a.m., kicking off the holiday driving season.
During the 48-hour operation officers reported stopping nearly 886 vehicles and issuing 316 citations. There were 41 Safety Belt citations were issued, while 14 impaired drivers were removed from Ohio’s roadways. Further, there were over 40 criminal arrests including five felonies and misdemeanors while 13 involved drug arrests.
Law enforcement agencies in Northwest Ohio including Williams, Fulton, Lucas, Defiance, Henry, Wood, Putnam, Paulding, Hancock, Van Wert, Allen, and Hardin Counties participated.
The OSHP stated: “On behalf of all law enforcement who participated in “Lights for Lives”, we would like to remind motorists this holiday season to always buckle up, as it is the one thing most likely to save their life, and slow down or move over for stopped traffic! Additionally, they must remember to plan ahead and never operate a vehicle when impaired by drugs and/or alcohol!”
