LISBON — Law Enforcement officials have added Columbiana County to the list of regional locations where sobriety checkpoints will be held to search for impaired drivers. The Ohio State Highway Patrol announced that the operation is part of a larger statewide effort taking place Friday and Saturday.
This latest announcement brings the number of planned checkpoints in the Mahoning Valley to three. Earlier Friday, officials confirmed that separate operations were already scheduled for Mahoning and Trumbull counties. The addition of Columbiana County is part of a massive enforcement push involving 17 counties across the state.
Federal grant funds pay for the checkpoints, which are designed to discourage and catch drivers operating vehicles while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Colonel Charles A. Jones, the superintendent of the Highway Patrol, explained that these operations are necessary because troopers see many lives negatively impacted by a single choice to drive while impaired.
The specific street location and hours for the Columbiana County checkpoint have not yet been released. Following standard procedure, the Highway Patrol plans to announce the exact details tomorrow morning.
In Trumbull County, officials have already specified that their checkpoint will occur on Elm Road from 9 p.m. to midnight on Friday. The location of the Mahoning County checkpoint is expected to be revealed late tonight.
Public notification is a legal requirement for these events. Under a 1990 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, police must tell the public the date and general area of a checkpoint in advance. Law enforcement officials noted that conducting these stops without notice would violate constitutional protections against illegal searches.
Saturday checkpoints are also planned for Defiance, Paulding, Erie, Huron, Cuyahoga, Summit, Wayne, Auglaize, Miami, Fairfield, Belmont, Washington, Clermont, Clinton, Athens and Gallia counties.
State officials selected the participating counties based on local crash data and available resources. In addition to the fixed checkpoints, the public can expect an increased police presence on local roads through the end of the weekend. Safety officials recommend that anyone planning to drink alcohol should arrange for a sober driver or a ride-sharing service.