COLUMBUS__According to provisional statistics, eight people were killed in seven crashes on Ohio roadways during the 2023 Thanksgiving holiday period, resulting in the fewest deaths since 2018. The five-day Thanksgiving reporting period began on Wednesday, November 22 at midnight and ran through 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, November 26,

Of the eight people killed, one was not wearing a safety belt and one crash involved impaired driving.

During the reporting period, troopers arrested 319 people for operating a vehicle while impaired and 111 for illegal drugs. Troopers also issued citations for 526 safety belt and 181 distracted driving violations. Throughout the holiday reporting period, troopers also assisted 1,567 motorists.

A statistical analysis of the Patrol’s enforcement activity over the holiday is available here.