With COVID-19 restrictions lifted, this year's Fourth of July is set to be the busiest travel weekends so far this summer.

According to the Ohio State Highway Patrol, There were 24 fatal crashes in the state during last year's Fourth of July weekend, resulting in 25 deaths. 18 deaths involved drugs or alcohol. This year, officials are predicting a lot more travel.

"Our message is pretty simple," Sergeant Eric Brown of the Canfield OSP post said, "Wear your seatbelt. Don't drive distracted. Don't drive impaired. and watch your speed."

Brown said Ohio State Highway Patrol will be on high alert all weekend looking for drunk, distracted and reckless drivers.

There were over 26,000 OVI arrests in the state during 2018 and local attorney Jerry Ingram reminds the Valley becoming a part of this statistic has life-changing consequences.

"The consequences of an OVI are severe and they should be avoided," Ingram said. 

He said if it's your first offense, you'll face up to 180 days in jail, up to $1,000 in fines and a license suspension of up to three years. 

If you hurt someone, you'll face prison.

"That is aggravated vehicular assault and is a felony of the third degree and carries up to a five-year prison sentence," Ingram said.

He said your license will automatically be suspended if you test over .08% blood alcohol level, if you refuse a test, and if you are convicted of an OVI.

If you cause death from an OVI crash, that's aggravated vehicular homicide and you'll face a lifetime license suspension and eight years in prison.

Ingram said an OVI of the first offense will add six points to your license and significantly increase your insurance rate and Brown said and OVI can also adversely affect employment. 

Both stress how important it is to not get behind the wheel impaired and both remind everyone to wear seatbelts.