OHIO — Law enforcement agencies across Northeast Ohio are planning multiple sobriety checkpoints this week, including on St. Patrick’s Day.
According to local officials, the Stark County Sheriff’s Office will conduct two sobriety checkpoints on March 17. Officers will be checking drivers for signs of alcohol or drug impairment.
The Summit County OVI Task Force will also hold checkpoints beginning Tuesday, March 17, and continuing into the early morning hours of March 18. Additional checkpoints are scheduled from Friday, March 20, into Saturday, March 21.
Authorities say the checkpoints are part of ongoing efforts to reduce impaired driving, particularly during the St. Patrick’s Day holiday period.
Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows that 38% of traffic fatalities during St. Patrick’s Day holidays between 2019 and 2023 involved drunk drivers.
Officials are urging drivers to plan ahead, avoid impaired driving, and use designated drivers or alternative transportation.
