COLUMBUS, Ohio — January 5, 2026 — The Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) has released its official New Year’s holiday traffic safety report, documenting nine fatal crashes that resulted in nine deaths on Ohio roadways during the 2025–2026 holiday travel period.
The figures are based on provisional data collected over a five-day enforcement window that began at 12:00 a.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, and concluded at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2026.
According to the Patrol, at least one of the fatal crashes involved a victim who was not wearing a safety belt, despite one being available in the vehicle.
Heavy Enforcement Activity Across Ohio
Troopers conducted widespread enforcement throughout the holiday period, focusing on impaired driving, seat belt use, and distracted driving. In total, OSHP reported 4,470 traffic enforcement contacts statewide.
Those enforcement actions included 238 arrests for operating a vehicle while impaired (OVI), 297 distracted driving citations, and 469 safety belt violations. Troopers also investigated 782 crashes during the reporting period.
Counties Reporting the Most Incidents
Franklin County recorded the highest number of incidents statewide with 464, followed by Lorain County (364), Mahoning County (319), and Medina County (301). Several additional counties, including Warren, Portage, Stark, Wood, and Clark, also reported elevated enforcement and crash activity.
Timeline: New Year’s Holiday Traffic Safety Period
December 31, 2025: Enhanced New Year’s holiday traffic enforcement begins statewide at midnight.
January 1–3, 2026: Troopers conduct saturation patrols, OVI enforcement, and targeted traffic stops focused on impaired driving, seat belt compliance, and distracted driving.
January 4, 2026: The holiday enforcement period ends at 11:59 p.m.
January 5, 2026: The Ohio State Highway Patrol releases provisional statewide traffic safety statistics.
Seat Belt Use Remains a Key Safety Issue
The Patrol’s fatal crash data shows that three fatalities involved confirmed seat belt use, while one involved confirmed non-use. In five cases, seat belt use was unknown or the restraint was not installed. No motorcycle-related fatalities were reported during the holiday period.
OSHP officials continue to emphasize that wearing a seat belt significantly reduces the risk of death or serious injury in traffic crashes.
Public Encouraged to Report Dangerous Driving
The Ohio State Highway Patrol urges motorists to remain vigilant and report impaired or dangerous drivers by dialing #677, which connects callers directly to the nearest Highway Patrol post.
Image and Data Attribution
The featured infographic and statistical data were provided by the Ohio State Highway Patrol and compiled by the agency’s Office of Planning, Research & Development.
Source: Ohio State Highway Patrol
Published by: VaruHub.com News
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