The Ohio Highway Patrol and five other neighboring states took part in a crackdown exercise early in December that lasted a week. The effort that included state police from Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and West Virginia was intended to increase visibility of impaired driving enforcement in the attempt to reduce frequency of drunk drivers. If you were injured or lost a loved one in a drunk driving accident contact a Columbus car accident attorney today.
This six state partnership is part of a broader effort aimed at increasing coordination law enforcement agencies amongst the states in the areas of highway safety, criminal patrols and intelligence sharing. The crackdown essentially put more officers on the highway and increased the frequency and visibility of DUI checkpoints.
Ohio Highway Patrol have already made over 23,000 Operating a Vehicle Intoxicated, or OVI, arrests this year so far in 2015. They aim to end out the year strong with safe roads, hence the uptick in enforcement. Although the main push occurred in the first week in December, the troopers will be out in full force all month enforcing the Ohio OVI law.
Operating a Vehicle Intoxicated Law in Ohio
Under Ohio state law, it is illegal for anyone over the age of 21 to drive with .08 blood alcohol concentration, or BAC, or over in their blood. If the driver has any amount of a controlled substance in their blood like marijuana, cocaine or heroine, it is an automatic OVI charge, regardless of the driver’s BAC.
For drivers over 18 but under 21, they will receive an OVI with .02 BAC or over, while with commercial drivers, the limit is .04 BAC. Any amount of alcohol in a minor constitutes an OVI.
The penalties for drinking and driving in Ohio are considerable, yet understandable considering the large number of casualties accumulated through drinking and driving accidents. For a first time offense, the penalties can include, three days to six months in jail, a $250 to $1000 fine licence suspension from six months to three years. This does not include costly attorney fees that could end up costing you as much as $10,000 for a single OVI charge.
The lookback period, or period in which prior OVIs are relevant in sentencing is six years. As more offences accrue, the penalties become harsher and after the third offence, an interlock ignition device is installed in the offender’s car, a mechanism that requires the driver to pass a breathalyzer test before starting his or her vehicle.
Contact a Columbus Car Accident Attorney Today
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a car accident in Columbus or Toledo, Ohio, the Ohio Car Accident Lawyers is here to help you get through it. Whether you require assistance negotiating with insurance companies, litigating against other drivers or just general legal consultation on personal injury matters, we have the experience that your claim needs. Timing can make all this difference when pursuing damages after a car accident – take charge now and contact us today for a free consultation. We promise to fight hard on your behalf.
