COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Ohio State Highway Patrol is calling on motorists statewide to buckle up and drive sober as the so-called 100 Deadliest Days of Summer get underway — a stretch running from Memorial Day through Labor Day that historically sees a spike in serious and fatal crashes on Ohio roads.
During the same period last year, 67,847 crashes occurred on Ohio roadways, including 351 fatal crashes that killed 384 people.
“With more vehicles on the road in the summer, there is a greater responsibility for every driver to use caution when behind the wheel,” said Col. Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. “By staying focused and driving sober, you can help prevent tragedies before they can occur.”
Safety officials attribute the seasonal increase in crash risk to several converging factors: more time behind the wheel as school lets out, increased in-vehicle distractions including phone use and multiple passengers, and the higher crash rates associated with inexperienced teen drivers.
The period also covers the peak months of motorcycle season. Patrol statistics show more than half of all motorcycle-involved crashes last year occurred during the 100 Deadliest Days window.
Gov. Mike DeWine pointed to Patrol data linking warmer months to elevated crash numbers. “I encourage everyone to do their part in promoting safety by buckling up and never driving distracted,” DeWine said.
During last year’s 100 Deadliest Days, troopers made 4,596 OVI arrests, issued 18,259 seat belt citations, and cited 7,567 motorists for driving with a suspended license.
Troopers will maintain a heightened presence on state roadways throughout the summer months. Motorists can report reckless or impaired drivers and drug activity by safely calling #677.
Crash data for Ohio is available through the Ohio Statistics and Analytics for Traffic Safety dashboard at the Ohio Department of Public Safety website.