DUI Checkpoints & Crime on the Road, Sobriety Checkpoints

Annual “Tie One On For Safety” Campaign Launched To Promote Safe And Sober Holiday Season

Columbus, Ohio – Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), the Ohio Department of Public Safety (ODPS), the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), The Motorists Insurance Group, a key sponsor of the campaign in Ohio, and other safety advocates gathered this morning to launch the annual “Tie One on for Safety” campaign with a message to drive safe, sober and buckled up.

Lois Briggs, shared her tragic story of her daughter Amy, who was killed by a drunk driver while she and her husband Chris had driven to help a friend of theirs who’s car had run out of gas on the highway. As her son-in-law and daughter were at the scene, on the side of the highway assisting their friend, a drunk driver who had recently left a corporate holiday party, swerved off of the roadway hitting both of them. Amy was thrown approximately 150 feet from the point of impact, killing her. This tragic event took place in 1992, on the same day MADD was kicking off its annual “Tie One On For Safety Campaign”.

This is the 23rd year for the holiday ribbon campaign which encourages motorists to tie the MADD ribbon to their vehicles as a pledge to be safe on the roadways. The campaign also reminds drivers to buckle up, because a seatbelt is the best defense against a drunk driver.

“ ‘Tie One On For Safety’ is MADD’s largest public awareness campaign to heighten awareness about the dangerous consequences of drinking and driving over the holidays,” said Doug Scoles, MADD Ohio executive director. “We’re pleased to be partnering with the Ohio Department of Public Safety and for The Motorists Insurance Group’s sponsorship, their support will help us save more lives in Ohio!”

According to ODPS crash statistics, 449 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in Ohio in 2008. Of those crashes, 33 of the fatalities occurred between Thanksgiving and New Years. Of those killed in alcohol- related car crashes in 2008, 233 were not wearing their seatbelts.

“I encourage everyone to do their part to be a visible reminder of the dangers of drunk driving by displaying a red ribbon and by making good decisions about driving safe and sober every day of the year,” said ODPS Director Cathy Collins-Taylor . “Together we can help reduce deaths and injuries so that no family has to experience this preventable tragedy.”

All of ODPS’ divisions are working to remind people to drive safe and sober. The Ohio Traffic Safety Office (OTSO), OSHP and local law enforcement are using stepped up enforcement and educational efforts to prevent injuries and deaths. Law enforcement representatives from DUI Task Forces around the state attended the event in support of the campaign. Local Deputy Registrars for the Bureau of Motor Vehicles are passing out the red ribbons throughout the campaign and the Ohio Investigative Unit (OIU) will continue its focus on over-serving and underage consumption.

Local law enforcement around the state are planning more than 11,000 hours of enforcement this holiday season including 22 sobriety checkpoints and more than 2,600 hours of saturation patrols. These efforts are funded and coordinated by OTSO. OSHP will have a visible presence on the states highways and OIU will be enforcing liquor laws.

“Ohio motorists need to take responsibility for themselves and others by setting a good example, ensuring that alcohol and driving don’t mix,” said Ohio State Highway Patrol Interim Superintendent Capt. Kevin Teaford. “Simple things like planning ahead to designate a driver if you choose to consume alcohol, and insisting that everyone in the vehicle is buckled up before you leave, can go a long way toward ensuring tragedies do not occur.”

For more information contact: Lindsey Bohrer, ODPS, (614) 752-6585 or Doug Scoles, MADD, (614) 885-6233
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