Ohio State Highway Patrol Prepares for New Years Eve

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – With just one day left in 2019, party
preparations are in full swing as Muskingum County residents ready
themselves for the new year ahead. However, New Year’s Eve
celebrations can take a somber turn if poor decisions are made. The
Ohio State Highway Patrol is getting ready for the new year by
dispatching countless troopers across the area to ensure that
motorists make it home safely and choose not to drive while impaired.
Sergeant Nathan Dennis says troopers will be out in full force
tomorrow night.

“We obviously are
planning on everything being a little bit busier around Muskingum
County tomorrow night with upcoming New Year’s Eve events. We are
going to have troopers out in full-force tomorrow night ensuring that
everyone’s making it home safely and that we are stopping that
drunk driver before they strike you, your loved ones, your family
members—just so we can make sure that everybody makes it home
safe.”

In addition to
making sober choices on New Year’s Eve, the patrol asks that
motorists move over if they see a traffic stop in progress to help
ensure the safety of troopers on duty.

“We’re out here
to make a difference and what we ask is, if you see those lights
flashing on the side of the roadway—that you slow down. You take
that time to move over into that next lane; allow us that space to
work so that we can do our job safely so that we can go home to our
families as well.”

Officials recommend
that a designated driver be secured if you have plans to consume
alcohol on New Year’s Eve. According to the Ohio State Highway
Patrol, OVI crashes and arrests have risen substantially since 2016
in Muskingum County.