The Ohio State Highway Patrol is urging people to drive sober, slow down and pay attention as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer gets underway.

Last year, there was a significant increase in fatal crashes on Ohio roadways over the summer months after being on the decline over the four previous years.

Full details are in the following news release from the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The time period from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend is referred to as the 100 Deadliest Days of Summer. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is reminding motorists to drive buckled, focused and sober.

Last year, 452 fatal crashes killed 478 people during this time period. From 2016 to 2019, this number was on the decline. In 2020, this number jumped by more than one-third. These 100 days only represent 27 percent of the calendar year, but they account for more than one third of all fatal traffic crashes and deaths. Operating a vehicle while impaired and speeding significantly contributed to these crashes. In fact, during this time period, 59 percent of all fatal crashes were OVI-related and 31 percent were speed related.

“Protect yourself and others on the road by committing to safe driving habits such as driving sober, obeying the speed limit and not driving distracted,” said Colonel Richard S. Fambro, Patrol superintendent. “The safety of everyone using our roads is our primary concern.”

The 100 days also encompass the primary motorcycle riding months. Last year, 60 percent of all motorcycle-related crashes and 28 percent of motorcycle fatalities occurred during this time frame.

You can help contribute to roadway safety by calling #677 to report drug activity and dangerous or impaired driving.

A statistical map detailing citations and other motorcycle related information can be found by clicking here.