SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (AP) - Police around Ohio are preparing stepped-up patrols for this weekend after a jump in drunk-driving arrests over the last New Year's holiday.
The Ohio Highway Patrol arrested 243 people over the holiday weekend that rang in 2011, up from 152 the year before.
Police say people who are partying should stay where they are, use a designated driver or call a taxi. There's an increase in the "Driver Sober or Get Pulled Over" TV ads, and more officers scheduled for this weekend.
The Springfield News-Sun reports that authorities at the Highway Patrol's Springfield post in western Ohio say habitual repeat offenders are a big problem. The post arrested two drivers within the last two weeks who had a total 16 convictions for operating a vehicle while intoxicated.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
