OVIs spike during Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is the first big holiday of a season that stretches just over two months. It entails a lot of family time, sports and traveling. For many, it also includes alcohol. Last year, over 300 OVI arrests, 14 fatal crashes and 17 deaths statewide over the Thanksgiving Weekend, according to a release made by the Ohio State Highway Patrol. So far, the OSPH recorded 123 OVI arrests in Hancock County. "You'll see some spikes relating to those factors," Lieutenant Mark Price, of the Hancock County Sheriff's Office, said. "It's the first time college kids really have a chance to go home and family visit from out of town." Despite the checkpoints set up across the state, higher police presence are in various other areas as well. Similar to distracted driving, they're going to look for anything drawing law enforcement's attention, Price added. Troopers will be highly visible and cracking down on those driving impaired from midnight on Wednesday, Nov. 23 through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 27, according to the OHSP release. Price said when someone is looking at their phones, radios or at other things, they're more likely to weave and their speeds will fluctuate. Additionally, people driving under the influence are more likely to hit their brakes frequently. "In the county, you'll see a little bit of a rise," Price added. "There's an influx in everything because people are coming home, they're traveling more and over longer distances."