Thursday, April 01, 1999
Butler Co. drivers face crackdown
For three months, police to target speeders, drinkers
BY JANICE MORSE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Starting today, officers will begin a three-month crackdown on speeders and drunken drivers in Butler County's Liberty and Madison townships, following an upsurge in fatalities there last spring.
“It just seemed like last year, out of the blue, we had a series of serious and fatal crashes involving alcohol — and that's why we're targeting that area,” said Lt. Tim Bally, commander of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's Hamilton post. “I think it's just because of the traditional warmer spring weather. People want to get out and drink, and drive a little faster, and there are a number of bars around there.”
Last year, there were five traffic fatalities in or near Liberty and Madison Townships — where there had been only two in the preceding four years, Lt. Bally said.
According to the Butler County Coroner's Office, four communities led the county in traffic fatalities last year: Liberty and Madison townships, and the cities of Hamilton and Fairfield. Each logged four traffic deaths.
Among the county's 32 total traffic deaths, 28 were tested for alcohol use; more than half tested positive.
In an effort to reduce traffic fatalities, additional troopers will be on patrol today through June 30. Usually, two troopers patrol the area. But at peak days and times for crashes — 9 p.m. to 3 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays — there will probably be two more troopers, Lt. Bally said. On other days, there will likely be one additional officer
Lt. Bally is hoping to receive a federal grant to help pay for the additional enforcement.
Troopers will be concentrating on previous problem areas: Ohio 73 from Ohio 4 to Ohio 127, a stretch of Ohio 4 leading from Hamilton to the Montgomery County line, and various roads just outside Trenton.
However, Lt. Bally said, “There's not one target road. We're trying to saturate the area.”
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