No matter how much green you wear or how affecting your Irish lilt might be on this St. Patrick’s Day, you do not want to get pulled over by Cincinnati police, Hamilton County Sheriff’s deputies or the Ohio State Highway Patrol. All of those law enforcement agencies are pledged to seek out drunk drivers with even extra vigilance today.
The Ohio State Highway Patrol says it will team up with local police agencies to look for drunken motorists today and tonight. The effort is part of the National Highway Safety Administration’s Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving campaign.
The Highway Patrol says that because St. Patrick’s is a popular drinking occasion, it is also dangerous to drive on the state’s roadways. Last year, two people died and 32 suffered injuries in St. Patrick’s Day alcohol-related car accidents. They were part of the 423 people killed statewide in 2016 in alcohol-related crashes, along with more than 8,700 who were injured.
Patrol Superintendent Col. Paul Pride said, “There are so many options to get home safely that driving after consuming alcohol is senseless and inexcusable.” He added that it’s the smart, right thing to plan ahead before a St. Pat’s celebration. Many people will designate a sober driver for the festivities, while others will arrange for a safe ride home from their last stop of the night.
As you know, Ohio law carries many substantial penalties for those convicted of DUI, with many of the punishments mandatory.
A first offense can mean jail time, DUI school, a fine (plus court costs), driver’s license suspension and more. The penalties for second or third DUI offenses get markedly more severe.
If you face DUI charges, you can contact a Cincinnati attorney experienced in effective DUI defense.