Highway patrol warns of possible traffic problems this weekend
Published 4:38 pm Thursday, December 31, 2009
Though New Year’s celebrations may be over, the Ohio State Highway Patrol will still be out in full force this weekend.
Officers from the local post of the Ohio State Highway Patrol will be working overtime this weekend until Saturday night, Sgt. J. P. Kisor said.
Though the holiday is often associated with alcohol-related celebrations, Kisor said most people are smart enough to plan ahead if they plan on drinking alcohol.
Because people plan ahead, New Years is not traditionally a time when there are many arrests for driving under the influence of alcohol.
The highway patrol is not scheduling any sobriety checkpoints for the weekend, though local law enforcement agencies may have them.
If someone does spot a vehicle traveling left of center or slowing down and speeding up, they should contact authorities, Kisor said.
“I think all three states have a hotline you can call,” he said.
Kisor expects more problems related to weather than alcohol, he said.
The National Weather Service is calling for wind blown snow showers throughout the weekend.
Kisor recommends that drivers take their time on ice or snow covered roads.
“Slow down, that’s the biggest thing,” he said. “Don’t wait until the last moment to get somewhere.”
Snowfall and ice are common in the winter, though often times people seem to forget how to drive in hazardous conditions after a long summer, he said.
“I’d say in every area, when you go from wet to frozen roads you’re going to have a problem,” Kisor said. “We’re just in an area where snow’s a part of our daily routine.”