The Miami County Sheriff’s Office has been awarded about $92,390 from the Ohio Traffic Safety Office for fiscal year 2027, WDTN reported. The award is the 21st consecutive year the agency has received the federal traffic enforcement grant.
Funds are designated for overtime tied to additional traffic enforcement and some fuel expenses. Officials said such patrols aim to increase restraint use and remove impaired drivers from roads.
MCSO said many enforcement details will fall on holidays, when travel and impaired-driving incidents rise. Additional deputies, the office said, can also help stranded motorists and may deter crime through their visible presence.
The report also cites NHTSA figures: about 34 deaths daily in drunk-driving crashes; a study covering 2014 through 2023 found roughly 11,000 annual deaths; and officials said 30% of traffic fatalities involve drivers at or above the .08 blood-alcohol threshold.
The source listed prevention steps, including planning a sober ride, taking keys from someone attempting to drive after drinking, calling law enforcement about suspected impaired drivers, and wearing seat belts.