XENIA — The Ohio State Patrol held an OVI checkpoint on Aug. 12 at Colonel Glenn Highway, where officers checked 286 vehicles for drug and alcohol impaired driving.

The last OVI checkpoint in Greene County was nearly a year ago, in September 2022. Last year’s checkpoint let 194 drivers through and issued one citation for impaired driving. Although more cars were checked this year, no citations were issued.

An OVI checkpoint is run with saturation patrols, which Sergeant R. Milstead, assistant post commander described as “units that are working in the vicinity of the checkpoint in marked patrol vehicles outside the actual checkpoint.”

Saturation patrol units must obtain probable cause before conducting a traffic stop, according to Milstead. Signs of impairment include odor of alcohol or marijuana, slurred speech, bloodshot or glassy eyes, and more.

Each vehicle passing through the station was checked, according to Milstead.

“Time and location of a checkpoint is determined based upon an area that has had a history of impaired driver-related crashes and impaired driving violations,” said Milstead. “Times and dates of the checkpoint coincide with the crash and violation history.”

The Ohio State Highway Patrol Statistical Analysis Units provide the data and the field operations commander gives site authority based on this historical record.

Contact Ethan Charles at 937-502-4532.