FRANK LEWIS

PDT Staff Report

The New Boston Police Department, assisted by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, conducted an OVI checkpoint Saturday on U.S. 52 eastbound in New Boston. They said they targeted that area because of the higher number of both property damage and alcohol-related crashes, and due to it being the major access from Portsmouth to the east side of the county.

Lt. Karla Taulbee, commander of the Portsmouth Post of the OSHP, said the checkpoint was intended to deter and intercept impaired drivers, and was also an opportunity for officers to educate the motoring public.

Officers made contact with 472 motor vehicles throughout the evening. Taulbee said there were several additional patrol officers in the area working roads that statistically yield higher numbers of OVI-related crashes. Capt. Steve Goins of the New Boston Police Department said the effort to deter impaired drivers from getting behind the wheel was deemed a success as there were no OVI arrests made at the checkpoint.

“I am happy to see that all the motorists that came through the checkpoint made the right decision to have a designated driver,” Goins said.

Last year, 885 people were killed as a result of automobile crashes in Ohio, and alcohol was involved in nearly 40 percent of all traffic deaths.

Frank Lewis may be reached at 740-353-3101, ext. 232, or at flewis@heartlandpublications.com.