ROSS TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WXIX) - The Butler County OVI Task Force conducted sobriety checkpoints Wednesday night on Hamilton Cleves Road to prevent drunk driving on one of the year's biggest drinking holidays.
Ross Township police officers worked alongside the task force from 8 p.m. until midnight outside Ross Intermediate School on Hamilton-Cleves Road/State Route 128.
"Any time you get the message out, don't drink and drive, it's not worth the risk, we want everybody to be safe, that's really the message, and that's the win that you have," said a task force member.
Officials said they chose the location because of frequent OVI crashes in the area.
"We get a lot of OVI crashes that occur in this area and on this state route, so for us it's kind of a no-brainer," an officer said.
The checkpoint process involves officers directing drivers with flashing lights for a brief stop. Officers tell drivers about the sobriety checkpoint and provide literature. Drivers who haven't been drinking are quickly released.
Chief Gerhardt stressed that ride shares, Ubers and other travel options make drunk driving unnecessary.
"If you even think you've had too much, don't take the risk," Gerhardt said. "Worst case scenario, if you are out there stranded, call one of our officers. We will come and make sure that you get home before you get behind the wheel of a car and injure yourself or somebody else."
In addition to the checkpoint, officers increased patrols throughout Ross Township Wednesday night.