The Cincinnati Police Department will dedicate many extra hours of patrol this holiday season to ensure that drivers are not impaired by alcohol or drugs, and that all occupants of vehicles are buckled up for safety.

During the previous five Decembers, there were 17 fatal crashes in Cincinnati that resulted in 18 deaths. The last crash of 2007 resulted in two persons being killed and another seriously injured on the morning of December 25. The crash was the direct result of alcohol use.

Lieutenant Robert Hungler of the Traffic Unit observes, “Along with the traditional holiday wishes of good cheer for family and friends, it’s important to remind loved ones to ‘Buckle up, stay sober and stay alive!’ Our wish is for a holiday season free of any deaths resulting from vehicle crashes.”