COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - State officials say following too close is the most common cause of Fourth of July holiday weekend crashes in Ohio.
The Ohio Department of Transportation says an analysis of accident data from the last five Independence Day travel periods finds that drinking and driving also is one of the top reasons for wrecks around the holiday.
ODOT says alcohol was involved in about 10 percent of the nearly 880 crashes reported during last year's holiday weekend.
Department Director Jerry Wray says in a statement that what's supposed to be a time of celebration can turn to tragedy by drunk driving.
Ohio's 2010 Fourth of July accidents resulted in almost 500 injuries and eight deaths.
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