COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Police agencies across Central Ohio are intensifying efforts to reduce OVI-related crashes this St. Patrick’s Day weekend. The Franklin County DUI Task Force is deploying saturation patrols to curb incidents during what is often one of the year’s biggest party weekends.
In 2024, there were nine drunk-driving crashes over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend in Franklin County, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Nationally, the U.S. Department of Transportation reported 290 fatalities due to drunk-driving crashes during over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend between 2018-2022.
Franklin County Sheriff Chief Deputy Jim Gilbert said an OVI is 100% preventable. He said there is a high price to pay if you get caught behind the wheel under the influence.
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“Drunk driving is an expensive offense,” he said. “If you are arrested for drunk driving, the average cost is anywhere between $5,000 and $9,000 between attorney fees, costs associated with getting your driver’s license back and paying court costs.”
This year, with St. Patrick’s Day falling on a Monday, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office will implement the saturation patrols earlier. Gilbert emphasized the preventability of OVI offenses, urging revelers to plan safe transportation.
“DUI is 100% preventable,” Gilbert said. “It is a crime. Sometimes it can rise from a misdemeanor all the way to a felony depending on the seriousness nature in which you may injure someone in a crash. It’s 100% preventable. If you are going to drink, have a plan for how you are going to get from point A to point B and don’t get behind the wheel.”
Gilbert also said patrols will be on the lookout for people under the influence of other substances like marijuana and other narcotics.
“The legalization of marijuana does not allow you or permit you to have marijuana in the car with you,” said Chief Deputy Jim Gilbert. “Consuming or using marijuana is the same as drinking and driving. We will arrest you for impaired driving if you are in fact smoking marijuana while operating a motor vehicle.”
Franklin County Sheriff’s Sergeant David Pennington told WSYX it’s going to be a busy weekend. He warns to have a plan before you start drinking or else the consequences could be steep, not just for the driver, but also any victims.
“If you think about it, the victims have to live with this also — not just suspects who had been drinking — but if they kill somebody, now the family has to mourn their loss.
It’s not just grief that comes with impaired driving, said Sgt. Pennington, who is also the county DUI task force coordinator.
“There’s also consequences in money, attorney fees, losing your car, losing your license, not able to drive for work. I mean, it’s not worth it.”
To further deter impaired driving, some cities, including Dublin, are offering discounts for ride-share services like Lyft. The Safe Ride campaign offers up to $10 off Lyft rides during Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day celebration to discourage drinking and driving to or from the festivities.
Central Ohio Safe Ride:
- Promo Code: DUBSPD25
- Valid Times: Thursday, March 13, through Monday, March 17
- Where: For users being picked up or dropped off in Dublin
The Franklin County DUI Task Force will maintain its presence throughout the holiday weekend, starting Friday at 6 p.m. and continuing until 6 a.m. Monday.
Task Force Agencies
- Bexley Police
- Columbus Airport Police
- Dublin Police
- Franklin County Safe Communities
- Gahanna Police
- Hilliard Police
- Mifflin Township Police
- Obetz Police
- Perry Township Police
- Ohio State Highway Patrol
- Upper Arlington Police
- Worthington Police
- Blendon Township Police
- Columbus Police
- Franklin County Engineer
- Franklin County Sheriff
- Grandview Heights Police
- MADD
- Minerva Park Police
- Ohio Department of Public Safety
- Westerville Police
- Clinton Township Police
- Columbus Public Health
- Franklin County Municipal Court
- Franklin Township Police
- Grove City Police
- Madison Township Police
- New Albany Police
- Sharon Township Police
- Whitehall Police
“We have everybody that’s on the task force, we’ll have so many cars out in their area looking for impaired drivers,” Sgt. Pennington warned.
