Ohio's Thanksgiving Travel Trouble: Weather Wreaks Havoc on Roads
Eleven Lives Lost in Eight Fatal Crashes
Ohio's roads turned treacherous over the Thanksgiving weekend, claiming eleven lives in eight fatal crashes. The culprit? Severe weather—a mix of snow and strong winds that made driving conditions extremely hazardous.
A Surge in Crashes
The Ohio State Highway Patrol reported 766 crashes—an 11% increase from last year. The bad weather led to more accidents and fewer traffic stops, as troopers were overwhelmed by emergencies rather than preventing them.
The Deadly Factors
- Seat Belts: Three of the fatal crashes involved unbuckled passengers.
- Pedestrians: Three crashes were pedestrian-related.
- Alcohol: Suspected in two cases.
Northeast Ohio Hit Hardest
Northeast Ohio bore the brunt of the storm, with wind gusts reaching 50 mph and visibility reduced by snow and wind. Some areas saw over 10 inches of snow. Lorain County had the most incidents, followed by Cuyahoga, Summit, Lake, and Geauga counties.
The Response
The Ohio Department of Transportation deployed snowplows to clear roads, urging drivers to slow down and maintain distance. Troopers issued a flurry of citations:
- 287 for distracted driving
- 462 for not wearing seat belts
- 281 arrests for driving under the influence
- 292 citations for driving with a suspended license
They also assisted 1,572 motorists stranded on the roads.
