The Ohio State Highway Patrol says Ohio saw its lowest number of Memorial Day weekend traffic fatalities in 18 years.
According to provisional numbers released Tuesday, six people were killed in crashes during the four-day reporting period, which ran from Friday, May 22 through Monday, May 25.
During the holiday weekend, troopers made more than 16,000 traffic enforcement stops across the state.
That included 355 impaired driving arrests, 66 drug arrests, and more than 2,000 seat belt citations.
The Patrol also responded to thousands of non-enforcement calls, including nearly 1,650 motorist assists.
State officials say the lower fatality numbers came just one week after the Patrol carried out its first statewide impaired driving enforcement campaign.
The effort included local OSHP posts, more than 100 law enforcement agencies, and the Ohio Department of Transportation.
During that initiative, officers conducted more than 18,500 vehicle checks and made 158 impaired driving arrests. Officials said 51 of those arrests happened at checkpoint locations.
Four felony arrests were also made during the operation.
The Ohio Department of Natural Resources also increased OVI enforcement on both waterways and roads during the holiday weekend.
Troopers and partner agencies spent the weekend reminding drivers about the dangers of impaired driving and encouraging people to use a designated driver or rideshare service if they plan to drink or use drugs.
The Patrol is also encouraging drivers to report dangerous or impaired driving by calling #677.
