COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Ohio State Highway Patrol is warning Ohioans of the consequences of driving while under the influence of alcohol on New Year's Eve.

OSP advises all Ohioans who plan on drinking alcohol at New Year's Eve parties to plan ahead and find a sober designated driver.

The New Year's holiday reporting begins Thursday, Dec. 30 at midnight and lasts until Sunday, Jan. 2. During the 2020-2021 reporting period, there were 14 fatal crashes that killed a total of 14 people.

Of those 14 crashes, 10 of them were linked to impaired driving, while speed played a role in the crashes.

Of the seven fatalities in which seatbelts were available, five were unbuckled. There were six pedestrians and one ATV/UTV driver killed during the holiday period.

OSP made a total of 309 OVI-related arrests during last year's reporting period, which lasted between Thursday, Dec. 31 and Sunday, Jan. 3. Patrol Superintendent, Richard Fambro says last year's New Year's holiday was the deadliest in nine years.

"Safety is a shared responsibility, and we need your commitments to help make our roads safe," Fambro said.