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Safety reminder comes with holiday weekend

Most people understand what at-risk drivers — those intoxicated from alcohol or drugs or distracted by hand-held devices — pose to the those driving along innocently, responsibly and intently aware of surroundings who, nevertheless, gets creamed by a drunk, buzzed or distracted driver.

Safety-related statistics from the 2017 Labor Day weekend as reported by the Ohio State Highway Patrol were quite, well, sobering. During the long weekend, Highway Patrol troopers arrested 851 people for driving while impaired. Another 536 were apprehended for drug offenses.

Unfortunately, the number of people caught driving after drinking too much was up in comparison with 2016.

But perhaps the most eye-catching statistics involved use of safety belts. Highway Patrol troopers issued a whopping 6,171 citations to people, including both drivers and passengers, who were caught not wearing lap and shoulder belts. Twenty-four people died in 22 Labor Day weekend traffic accidents last year in the Buckeye State. Of that number, 10 fatalities were related to alcohol. However, nine people were unbelted, according to the Highway Patrol.

So while using those numbers as a holiday weekend sample size, we are just as likely to die from not wearing safety belts in cars or helmets while on motorcycles as we are to perish in alcohol-related crashes. As if alcohol-related accidents weren’t enough of a concern. Then, of course, accidents from distracted driving — everything from hand-held devices to fidgeting with a new fangled dashboard sound system or computer — is another big worry.

Using a seat belt or, if a biker, a safety helmet may be something you should remember the next time you decide to go for a ride. The price you pay for that “freedom” you feel because you are not restrained — or maybe being too plain absent-minded to use a seat belt — might end costing you more than a non-seat belt use citation. It could cost you your life or that of a loved one. Think about that each day. Think about that with another long Labor Day weekend arriving today. Don’t let a citation spoil it. Don’t let a tragedy ruin it. Driving sober and distraction-free while buckled up should be a given for any of us getting behind a wheel. Drivers coming the other way will certainly appreciate your doing that.

Motorists are encouraged to dial #677 to report impaired drivers and drug activity to the Patrol.

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