Everybody enjoys relaxing with a few drinks with friends and family over the holidays. While there’s nothing wrong with consuming alcohol at home, problems arise when people who have been drinking decide to get behind the wheel. Tragically, Ohio sees a dramatic increase in both OVIs and alcohol-related deaths on the roads each year during the holidays.
A yearly spike
Ohio’s law enforcement officers see a pronounced uptick in drunk driving charges – and alcohol-related deaths – in the holiday season between Thanksgiving and New Year’s every year. In fact, the organization called Mothers Against Drunk Driving reports that the number of people killed in alcohol-related vehicle accidents rises by 35% statewide every holiday season.
Every state has different penalties for first-time OVI offenders. Ohio’s laws are harsher than many other states. Upon conviction for your first OVI, you could face three days in jail, a six-month suspension of your drivers’ license, and a fine. The penalties get significantly more severe for subsequent offenses. Don’t let an OVI conviction ruin your holiday cheer.
What you can do to prevent it
If you are drinking, it’s best to stay where you are until the effects of the alcohol have completely worn off. If you absolutely must go somewhere, make sure to have someone who has not been drinking drive you to your destination. Alternately, you could use a ride share app or taxi service to get where you need to go.
Driving while intoxicated comes with severe consequences for you, and it puts the lives of everyone else on the road in jeopardy. It’s simply not worth the risk. Don’t become part of Ohio’s yearly holiday OVI statistics this year, and make sure that your friends and family stay safe as well.